Following the green light from Transport Scotland for the £116.6m scheme, Network Rail has started construction of the Levenmouth Rail Link.
The work includes the removal of the old track bed and other route preparation activities in advance of the re-instatement of a double track railway and passenger services to Leven.
The first services to run on the line will be diesel operated before conversion to electric operation at the earliest opportunity.
Electrification is part of the Scottish Government’s decarbonisation action plan and will enable the earliest possible transition to electric services.
Two new fully accessible stations will be constructed at Cameron Bridge and Leven, both benefiting from active travel access infrastructure linking local communities and places.
Bill Reeve, Director of Rail, Transport Scotland, said:
“The Levenmouth Rail Link demonstrates our ambition not just for improving and investing in Scotland’s Railway, but also our commitment to communities as new rail links bring many additional benefits such as connectivity to the wider economic area to allow new journeys for work, education and leisure.”
Councillor David Ross, Fife Council Co-Leader, added:
“Our Levenmouth Reconnected Programme will maximise the economic and social value of the new Levenmouth railway to the local area - developing initiatives and projects that build on the railway investment-led opportunity. The aim being to benefit people already living here and attract new business, investment, and visitors from elsewhere.”