CAMPAIGNERS are calling for support as they continue efforts to reinstate the Alloa to Fife railway line.

A report from a group of those involved, including Green MSP Mark Ruskell and Alloa Community Council, is urging local authorities and the Scottish Government to back the proposals.

It says the country is long overdue investment in rail and that the opening of the new Queensferry Crossing could lead to a shift towards more car use if the network is not expanded to reflect growing demand.

It further calls for the funding of feasibility studies into reopening the Alloa to Fife line, the Levenmouth Rail Link, and the St Andrews Rail Link, as well as establishing stations at Newburgh and Halbeath.

Mr Ruskell said they are putting forward plans that will "significantly increase" access to the rail network for households in Clacks.

He believes it is time to build upon the "phenomenal success" of the Alloa-Stirling passenger service, adding that after EGIP rail electrification project is completed in 2019 there will be a gap in rail investment.

Meanwhile, Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown said proposals for new lines and stations will be considered where there is clear evidence of benefits.

Mr Ruskell said: "We’re putting forward a package of five new stations and lines which will significantly increase access to the rail network for thousands of households in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife, as well as open up important freight routes that could take a significant amount of traffic off the roads.

"We’re asking for a mixture of city deal funding and support from the Scottish Government to fund the feasibility studies into these projects, and for councils to back this strategic vision for rail services.

"The Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal should be supporting the development of a business case to re-open the line to Dunfermline now Longannet Power Station is closed.

"Communities shouldn’t have to compete for funding to get projects off the ground, or get played off against each other to prove who is most in need of investment."

Mr Brown added: "The Stirling-Alloa Rail line, which I championed both as a local councillor and as an MSP, has been a great success and it has been of great benefit to the local community.

"The Scottish Government is investing £5billion in Scotland’s railways to 2019 to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the rail network and are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity.

"Proposals for new lines and stations will be considered where there is clear evidence of benefits, subject to affordability and a suitable business case being identified.

"It is entirely up to the local authorities to consider and bring forward their priorities for city deal proposals.

"Where proposals are brought forward through this route they will be considered by both Scottish and UK Governments in due course and as a representative who covers the entire area, Mark Ruskell will have had the opportunity to engage with the councils involved to share his views.

"I understand that, supported by the Scottish Government, both Clackmannanshire and Fife Councils have already commenced investigations into potential future use of the rail line through the Longannet Task Force.

"It is important that options for the future use of this strategically valuable site are generated in order to further thinking on the best future use of the railway asset."