The Alloa to Dunfermline Railway
The Alloa to Dunfermline Railway, also known as the West Fife Rail Link and the Forth Rail Link, currently consists of a freight line which runs from Alloa to Dunfermline City via Longannet. Due to the nature of its construction, the freight line is limited to 48kmh (almost 30 mph), and so although passenger trains have travelled along the line, they have to move slowly due to this speed restriction.
The railway has much more potential than this. An inter-city link between Stirling and Dunfermline could be established, which allows onward travel into Fife travelling East, or to Glasgow travelling West. Having the line operational would also open up opportunities for Longannet to be redeveloped, bringing much needed jobs to the West Fife area. Some of the villages on the route could benefit from having stations nearby which would help boost connectivity and bring economic benefits to the area. Clackmannanshire would benefit by being on this inter-city link, in the face of declining bus services, especially to the nearby villages. With this link in place, it becomes more likely that further freight opportunities will arise in the future.
This link, used up to its potential, could help towards our carbon footprint, reducing journeys East into Fife and drastically shortening the train journey from Fife into Clackmannanshire.