StARLink
The
St Andrews
Rail
Link Campaign
St Andrews was connected to the rail system from 1852 until
1969, when it fell a victim to British Rail's
indiscriminate cull of branch lines.
The StARLink
campaign was
launched in 1989 with a view to reconnecting the town to
the rail system in the interests of convenience for
travellers, the alleviation of traffic congestion and
reduction of car-generated pollution.
Since that time it has steadily built up support both in
and outwith St Andrews, lobbied politicians at all levels
and raised money for campaigning.
Some
Prominent Supporters
and what they say:
"As a recognised tourist attraction the town deserves the
best possible transport links, On environmental grounds
greater emphasis should be placed on rail travel. A rail
ticket marked London to St Andrews would surely tempt many
foreign travellers." –
Rt. Hon. Menzies Campbell MP
"I have long supported the idea of restoring a rail link to
St Andrews. The Open was a good illustration of the
necessity for such a link. It would constitute a
considerable improvement on the rail/bus interchange and
the clogged roads that golf fans, tourists and local
residents have to put up with at the moment." –
Iain Smith MSP
"St Andrews is getting overwhelmed by the cars of visitors,
students and locals. A railway line would improve the
situation and allow passengers to bypass the traffic jams
that happen at big events." –
Railway Development Society, Scotland
"[Closing] the line from Leuchars to St Andrews [was] a
monstrous abolition" –
Professor David Daiches
"St Andrews suffers from bad transport links ... it has
never been the same since the railway went." –
John Purves MEP
"St Andrews is not the easiest place to get into, with no
main motorway nor rail links coming directly into town.
Stuck out at the eastern edge of the Kingdom of Fife it is
at the back-of-beyond in global communications terms."
–
article in Scotrail's
Outlook
magazine
"It would be tremendous if by the time the Open
Championship next returns to St Andrews, we were able to
announce the confirmation that "The Home of Golf" will once
again have a direct rail link." –
Patrick Laughlin, Chief Executive, Kingdom of Fife Tourist
Board
