6th. Year  Update No.: LevenMouth Rail Campaign SPRING AprilSeason

NewsletterNewsletter 62 CREDIBLE 62 CREDIBLE On to Destination ... 2020 2020  NOW SEASONA L  Journe y :

“Much,“Much, MuchMuch MoreMore ThanThan aa MereMere TransportTransport Project!”Project!”

Fife Council Finally ‘Get Their Man’ ...... [Although They Had Him All Along] The Scourge of “It’s Over to You “Covid -19” Its Effects on Rail Now, Michael!” Link Progress MICHAEL DREVER Took Up His New Role one Mon- Programme Manager Story: Allen Armstrong , day in April - though it must Programme Manager L.M.R.C. ‘e-Bulletin’ , March 2020. have been a case of working Appointed for ‘Levenmouth from home - and he has com- MEMBERS of The Leven- mitted himself to ensuring that Reconnected Blueprint’ Mouth Rail Campaign have the Levenmouth community will welcomed the news of the benefit from the much-anticipated and long- not managed to find anyone with the very appointment of Michael Drever awaited development that is to come our high skills and experience levels this job as the new Project Man- way when the Rail Link and the amenities calls for. They decided to look rather closer ager of the Levenmouth and services around it are put in place. to ‘home’, ironically enough at the moment, Connected Blueprint — the It is Michael’s duty now to liaise and and checked their different departments for initiative that is intended to work with communities and stakeholders. the ideal person. Finally, they found him, plan the various amenities He is formally the Programme Manager for beavering away in the Economic Develop- and services that are set to the Levenmouth Reconnected Blueprint , from ment Service , where he’d been involved in accompany the Rail Link which all the new development will come. certain capital projects as part of the ‘City once it is open once again. A Levenmouth Reconnected ‘leadership Deal’ process; Council had not so much However, there was some group’ has now already been set up - as “got their man” as had him all along; they less-pleasing news for them has a ‘working group’ which comprises swiftly seconded Michael Drever after real- to take in, as the planned agencies such as Transport Scotland , the ising they could do with his experience and consultations on sites for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency skills elsewhere in their huge H.Q. at Bank- new Leven and Cameron (S.E.P.A ., who are already heavily-involved head, on the south side of . Bridge Stations had been in the associated River Leven regeneration A Big Anniversary delayed indefinitely due to project), Network Rail , ScotRail and Fife the dreadful scourge that is Council - and Michael will be heavily-involved LMRC News isn’t blaming them for not Coronavirus “Covid-19”. with them, as well as, no doubt, with the realising this sooner - or blaming him for the “Campaigners have also LevenMouth Rail Campaign , too. lack of anything good for Levenmouth in the expressed concern that the contentious Edinburgh City Deal of 2017 !! project could suffer delays as Candidate was “Seconded” There is no fixed duration for work sec- a result of the Pandemic ”, After several weeks spent looking for ondments, but the new Project Manager L.M.R.C. Secretary Allen Arm- the ideal candidate - during which time role is set to go for five years. By then, we strong wrote in his “e-Bulletin” the Project Manager job was advertised at trust the work will be done … and we look last month; “[...but] this will least twice, not counting LMRC News ’ inclu- forward to having trains back in the cen- push the project on, and allow sion of it last month - Fife Council had still tre of Leven in plenty of time for 2025 — for greater involvement in the the Bi-Centenary Year project for local communities. LMRC APRIL MEETING for Britain’s Railways !! “The current, critical situa- When Transport Secre- tion with Covid-19 will prevent tary Michael Matheson gave direct contact…, but remote CANCELLED the go-ahead for the Rail working ma y allow some pro- CANCELLED Link’s revival in August, he gress on the Rail Link and - Please See Back Page for Information and Campaign Contacts also … / Page 2, Col. 1. - Active Travel projects.” BUCKHAVEN’S Little or No Sport . . . ? “It’s Over to You ...!” ⊳— Cont. from Front Page. \ … announced he had set Keep the Ball in aside £10m. to support the foundation and work of a BLUES ------“Levenmouth Blueprint Group”, with joint-funding from both Their Court ! ! ! the and Fife Council . One of the ‘Very Worst The regulations needed during the continuing Covid-19 for Deprivation’ CAMPAIGN crisis are stopping people from making direct contact with one other, as we know only too well, but at least “remote BUCKHAVEN, Close to CALL ...... working”, indeed, working from home , means that some LEVEN, in Fife - where progress can still be made, which may in turn allow any both the CLEAR Buckhaven LOBBY YOUR MSP progress on the rail link and active travel projects. charity and the L.M.R.C. are  based - is now listed as one ...... Say LMRC -  Network Rail have yet to appoint a “Liaison or Com- of the “very worst for depri- munication Officer”, or create the position itself, it seems. vation” in Scotland, accord- Please Keep This - This is also seen as important to reviving the Rail Link. ing to new research..., and ------‘Ball’ Rolling ... ! those there now say that A “Slightly Discouraging” Lack of Communication the Levenmouth Rail Link  LMRC News has changed the text

Story: Allen Armstrong , L.M.R.C. ‘e-Bulletin’ , March 2020. “can’t come soon enough” in last month’s version of the notice above, which was inappropriate. In the “IT IS Slightly Discouraging that LMRC are only learn- Scottish Government last part, it read: “Please don’t let them ing of [the] latest developments, and worrying delays, via data on multiple depriva- forget us amid this crisis!”, which was the Press or Parliament”, writes the Campaign Secretary tion shows “further, worry- wrong, and we apologise for any hurt or ing deterioration” in Leven- concern this may have caused anyone. Allen Armstrong, before the news broke that the ‘Blueprint’ - Alistair Aynscough, Editor, LMRC News . Project Manager had been appointed; “[This contradicts] mouth - not merely the earlier commitments made regarding full involvement of worst in Fife, but lagging behind much of Scotland. “Stepping Out...?” the community. We understand Fife Council [have re- advertised] the post of Levenmouth Blueprint Manager “The majority of Fife’s “LINE-OPENING PROJECTS (for the third time). Meanwhile, we await an update from most-deprived areas con- need to follow this tortuous Network Rail regarding the apparently delayed appoint- tinue to be concentrated in and expensive process to ment of a Liaison Officer.” Mid-Fife, across the Leven- be delivered...”, writes Allen “In the , in response to MSP David mouth, Kirkcaldy, Cowden- Armstrong; [This is formally Torrance’s questions, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed beath and Glenrothes called “GRIP”, which stands for Governance for Railway ‘strong commitment’ to reopening passenger and freight areas”, the report states. Investment Projects... , and it services to Levenmouth’s two stations, and offered help “Fife sees an increase in the number of datazones in really is something that takes to Fife Council in recruiting the Blueprint Manager. a lot to get to grips with!] “Campaigners have welcomed the move, but said 20% most-deprived, reflect- ing increases in Levenmouth “The contractor, Atkin , is in planned consultations on sites for the railway stations at the midst of the GRIP 3 ‘Design’ Cameron Bridge and Leven had fallen victim to Coronavi- and areas.” A map published on the process, due to report in June. rus. They also expressed concern that the project could There’s been some clearance Scottish Government Web- suffer delays as a result of the pandemic. of trees along the track, per- “This will push the project on and allow for greater site shows that the Buck- haps to facilitate this, also involvement in the project for the local communities.” haven and Methil areas, in GRIP 4 ‘Single Option Devel- “A ‘Levenmouth Reconnected’ leadership group, and particular, are “struggling opment’ and GRIP 5 ‘Detailed a working group, involving agencies like Transport Scot- badly”, and parts of Leven Design’ phases (which involve land , Scottish Environment Protection Agency , Network are “now falling into the ‘most- ground-testing, etc.). Rail , ScotRail and Fife Council , have already been cre- deprived’ category”. “Surely, it’s ‘downhill all ated. They added: ‘When the world emerges from this The return of trains “cannot the way’ from there, to unprecedented upheaval, questions may arise regarding come soon enough”, says the Steps 6, ‘Construction, Test public spending and even investment programmes’. report; “...but more will need and Commission’; Step 7, “Since Levenmouth has [been involuntarily] ‘self- to be done to reverse this ‘Scheme Hand-back’; and Step 8, ‘Project Close-out’.” isolated’ for the past 50 years, we hope the project is not downward trend”. sidelined or long delayed when things return to normal. “Leven Councillor Colin Davidson has also hailed StayatHome…Protect StayatHome…Protect the development, saying: “It’s good news to share, about the future of Levenmouth, at a time of trepidation and OurOur N.H.S.N.H.S. …SaveLives…SaveLives !! uncertainty”, he said: “The Programme Manager has PLEASE!—ONLY EVERVENTUREOUTDOORSFOR… been appointed, and he’ll be in-post from Monday”.

------ Exercise - Near Home ;  Caring for Relatives ; Levenmouth and The Coronavirus Crisis. - A list of contacts has  Essential Shopping and  Vital Work , such as been posted on the LMRC Facebook Page for anyone needing infor- mation, help and/or advice from the various groups listed there to Collection of Medicines ; N.H.S ., Care-Givers . actually get that information. Please Check this List... and Share It . 2 - LMRC News - April 2020 - www.levenmouth.co.uk StayStay SAFESAFE ...andStay...andStay SANESANE !! Holyrood Political Changearounds OTHER LOCAL CAMPAIGNS ------——————— ------Our New Update Column Launched L.M.R.C. Supporter Jenny Gilruth Promoted WITH THE LEVENMOUTH Rail Link now “go”, and to Government Office “secured”, LMRC News is introducing this new column to publicise the efforts of other railway revival campaigns in Story: Gemma Fraser , Holyrood or near the Kingdom of Fife. Here, then, is the first instal- Official Parliamentary Website ment in a series that will do just that - to check on the (www.holyrood.com) , websites of, and any other correspondence from, fellow Monday, 17th. February.: campaigners. Some of them have been supporting us

Jenny GILRUTH, M.S.P. , with our ambition of finally, last August, hearing from one of the more-prominent Holyrood Transport Minister Michael Matheson that Levenmouth was to get its trains back ….. …. … .. . supporters of the Leven------Mouth Rail Campaign , was Above: Jenny Gilruth MSP and promoted to the Scottish Cabi- the Transport Minister, Michael net in February, in a reshuf- Alloa to Dunfermline Matheson, celebrating after fle that was needed after the Story: Ally McRoberts , Dunfermline Press &. West of Fife Advertiser Website , his announcement, on Thurs- resignation of the Finance 15th. August, 2019 .: day, 8th. August, that Leven- Minister, . INSPIRED BY News of the investment mouth’s Rail Link will return. The Holyrood member for of £70 million in the Levenmouth Rail Link, backers of a Mid-Scotland and Fife was plan to re-open a railway from Alloa to Dunfermline have named as the new Minister called on the Scottish Government to give it serious thought. Working on for Europe and Interna- In an interview for the Dunfermline Press newspaper, tional Development in the one week after the Levenmouth Rail Link was given its the Line . . . rather surprising, and very much welcome, go-ahead last reshuffle - her first Cabinet ------August, , Green Party MSP for Mid Scotland role since she became an Trees on the Trackbed M.S.P. at the Holyrood gen- and Fife, stated that “this should be the first in a wave of eral election almost 4 years new lines and stations in Scotland” to be confirmed. are Felled The campaign group Go Forth Kincardine are keenly ago. The changes will per- LOCAL RESIDENTS have haps best be remembered awaiting the outcome of their application to the Local Rail been encouraged in recent for the introduction of Kate Development Fund for the feasibility study they want to weeks by seeing the “visible Forbes as Cabinet Secretary do into fully re-opening this significant West Fife rail-route. signs of activity” on the dis- for Finance (equivalent to the Mr. Ruskell said that he was “delighted” at the news used Levenmouth Rail Link, role of Chancellor of The Ex- that Levenmouth will someday soon be linked again to reports the LevenMouth Rail chequer at Westminster ), the British railway network, and said: “The community cam- Campaign. Trees that had which left Kate reading the paign has been central to getting government backing, and been growing on the track- budget speech that Mr. it will be a boost to Kincardine and West Fife campaigners to see how strong community campaigns change things.” bed and the actual line Mackay was supposed to have been cut down [we ------read, at ver y short notice. understand, from the Step- While all this was going ping-Out story on Page 2], on, Jenny was getting used St. Andrews Rail Link to enable the surveying teams to her new role of support- Story: Railway Magazine Website , December, 2019; StARLink to carry on with their vital work. ing Michael Russell’s re- Website , Friday, 15th. and Wednesday, 20th. November, 2019;

------sponsibilities after he was St. Andrews Citizen , November, 2019.:

named Cabinet Secretary “PLANS BREATHING Litter-Picker for the Constitution, Europe New Life into Fife” - a new VOLUNTEERS From the and External Affairs. publication by Graeme Pickering - examines the details L.M.R.C. and the CLEAR It was Jenny who, readers of the new Levenmouth Rail Link as agreed eight months Buckhaven conservation will recall, requested the de- bate on the Levenmouth Rail ago by Transport Minister Michael Matheson and, watch- charity carried out several Link that was held on 27th. ing all this with great interest are StARLink - the cam- “community litter-picks” in September, 2017, which she paign to reinstate the St. Andrews Rail Link . February and March, ahead did after the 12,506-name peti- Their dream project has also been closely examined in of the remorseless advance tion in favour of the L.M.R.C. Graeme Pickering’s report, which suggests that this railway of the “Covid-19” coronavi- was handed to the then Trans- could easily assist tourists in a big way - especially any- rus. One of the locations port Secretary one visiting the “home of golf” town from the port at Ro- that was in great need of on 1st. June, 2017. Mr. Yousaf syth during a sea-cruise. Getting caught up in a traffic their attention was the grass- himself stays on as Holyrood’s jam in the few hours they may have ashore would be bad lands around the car-park of Justice Minister. news for their holiday plans, especially if that hold-up the Levenmouth Leisure First Minister Nicola Stur- geon said of the new Minister took place on the way back to the ship and it sets sail! Centre , in Leven, close to for Europe and International Going by train from Rosyth to St. Andrews ought to the town’s Bus Station, and Development: “I know that be much easier and quicker than by road. Rosyth has a which is a potential site for [Jenny] will bring that drive, railway station - and, so too, have Inverkeithing and Dun- the rail-station. Roll on the passion and sharp focus to fermline. Some of the roads in this district aren’t great and, day when the station will be Scotland’s economy”. anyway, there could even be enough time to visit one or built if not necessarily the other of these towns by train, actual job of clearing that up! LMRC News - April 2020 - ’Phone: 01592-713078 - 3 as well as St. Andrews. ...! ‘REINSTATE THE LEVEN -EDINBURGH RAIL -LINK !’

LMRC NOT MEETING ... “On My Radio...” *

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Eugene’s Railway Development Talk on LevenMouth Rail Campaign BBC Radio Scotland

ON SUNDAY, 16th. February, Eugene Clarke , the Chairperson of the LevenMouth Rail Campaign , took part are Sorry to Announce in a discussion about railway development in Scotland on the BBC Radio Scotland show “Good Morning Scotland” . that, due to Coronavirus, The discussion lasted for about 15 minutes, and centred on Eugene their Monthly “Action as he was interviewed about the L.M.R.C. , its eventful history, its Group” Meeting at the Fife achievements so far - and how it has been able to rely on some Renewables Innovation very strong commu- nity support, and the Centre; 6.30 p.m. Tuesday, cross-party support of Above: L.M.R.C. ’s Eugene Clarke , with nearly all the area’s Councillor Altany Craik (on the left) and councillors - if not all Councillor Ryan Smart (on the right), at 28th. April, 2020, is of them - and from the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre at many members of the Methil Docks, Leven, on Thursday, 8th. Scottish Parliament. August..., clearly ver y happy to have Eugene identified heard from Michael Matheson that the the “indefatigable” Levenmouth Rail Link is to be reinstated ! campaign itself, along CANCELLEDCANCELLED gether with the “excellent community support, plus con- sensus backing by elected representatives as key factors in driving our success”. ... “The decision to reinstate rail All Dates Subject to Cancellation services has helped change the mood-music around Leven- or Alteration due to “Covid -19” ... mouth from one of despair to one which is more optimis- tic [‘Covid-19’ aside now] and which can ultimately be game- LMRC Action Group Meeting changing in terms of expectations and opportunities for --- Tuesday, 26th. May, 6.30 p.m.; young people. We’re still only in the design stages but the Campaign and the community need to be fully-engaged LMRC Action Group Meeting in influencing the final outcome when it is implemented.” — Tuesday, 30th. June, 6.30 p.m.; [ * Song-Title ‘Puzzle’ Goes On?!: “On My Radio” by The Selecter , 1979. ]

There Will Be NO Meeting in July CAMPAIGN CALL ….. …...... anyway, due to Holidays. “LOBBY YOUR MSP!” SAY LMRC LMRC Action Group Meeting ALTHOUGH, of Course, we now have the wonderful — Tuesday, 25th. August, 6.30 p.m.; prospect of the Levenmouth Rail Link being reinstated , the LMRC will remain active and continue to keep watch on LMRC Action Group Meeting progress. If you have concerns at any stage , you should — Tuesday, 29th. September, 6.30 p.m.; still write to their MSP, MP or Local Councillor. … … For Other Dates, Events LMRC News is Produced by ALISTAIR AYNSCOUGH at Colinsburgh, and Details … … … Fife. Transmitted by Adobe PDF and e-Mail to LevenMouth Rail Campaign.

From the Creator of LMRC Contacts … … ℡  ‘Brougham CLEAR Buckhaven , 36 College St., Buckhaven, Hall News’ KY8 1JY. - [Opposite Library and Council Offices] Founded in Penrith, Cumbria, in December 1986. E-Mail: [email protected] ’Phone: 01592-713078 www.broughamhall.co.uk Facebook and Twitter - Enter via our Website : www.levenmouth.co.uk LMRC News - April 2020 - E-Mail: [email protected] ’Phone: 01592-713078 - 4