Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop's visit to Newburgh comes before the outcome of a Newburgh (STAG) transport appraisal is delivered to the Minister at the end of May. The report may recommend the rail station campaign moves forward.​​

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The Newburgh Train Station Campaign together with Fife Council and the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SesTran) submitted an appraisal of Newburgh's transport needs to the Scottish Government at the end of last year. The Minister has requested that it is reviewed and recommendations are presented to her no later than the end of May. A decision on the whether the reopening of Newburgh train station moves to the next phase will then be made. 

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This month, MSPS wrote to the the Minister asking that she visit the town to gauge the benefits of reopening a train station before considering the transport report.

 

Last Thursday in the Scottish Parliament, Mark Ruskell reiterated the invitation to the Minister. 'I feel that the cabinet secretary and officials will fully understand that economic opportunity only if they come to Newburgh and meet people and businesses to understand their vision for economic transformation for the area', he said.

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Claire Baker (Lab), one of the MSP inviting Fiona Hyslop to Newburgh reminded the Minster that the arguments made by the successful campaign for Levenmouth was the economic boost that it would bring to the local area. 'A similar case can be made for Newburgh. How is the Scottish Government evaluating the benefits that have been brought to Levenmouth and using that to inform the case for and its understanding of Newburgh?', she asked.

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The Minister responded that any lessons learned from elsewhere will inform decision making. 'However, that decision making must be based on what is put in front of officials and recommended to me, based on the merits of the case in and of itself'.

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The Newburgh Train Station Campaign spokesmen welcomed the visit by the Minister and thanked  the MSPs who penned the invitation. 'We are hugely grateful for the efforts local representatives are putting into getting our station reopened. We believe there is a lot of potential to make Newburgh not only economically stronger but to become a net contributor to the Scottish economy'. 

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