Council looks to support Levenmouth rail link with new £10m fund

Image: Network Rail

FIFE Council has said that it is looking to maximise the social and economic benefit of the Levenmouth Railway through a new £10 million fund.

The new line will bring rail travel back to Levenmouth for the first time in over half a century, allowing for residents to travel directly to Edinburgh and other destinations.

The new Levenmouth reconnected fund will look to support a range of local initiatives, with community groups, social enterprises and businesses applying being required to detail how their work will contribute to the economic regeneration and social benefits of the link.

The grant application process will open early summer 2021 via the new Levenmouth Reconnected web portal and will be publicised widely when it’s launched. Fife Council detailed that the funding will be allocated as follows:

  • Grants of up to £5,000 will be approved through the Levenmouth Local Community & Neighbourhoods panel. This is a group of officers from a range of council services, all working in the Levenmouth area – the panel also allocates funds from the council’s community planning budget.
  • Applications for grants of between £5,000 and £5m will be assessed by a panel of representatives from the range of agencies involved in the programme. Recommendations will be passed to the multi-agency oversight group for approval to advance to Levenmouth Area Committee for decision.
  • An accelerated process will be used for awards of up to £25,000, if it’s essential to make spending decisions outside committee schedules.

Fife Council co-leader and chair of the policy & coordination committee, councillor David Ross, said, “The Levenmouth Reconnected Programme is backed by £5m funding from the council and £5m from Transport Scotland. This represents a huge opportunity for Levenmouth and Mid Fife, and we won’t let it go to waste.

“Applicants will have to clearly demonstrate how they’ll use any funding awarded to create opportunities for local people that complement the rest of the work happening in the area. We’re looking for projects that unlock access to culture, leisure, training and employment options. Spending that will benefit people already living here and attract new business, investment and visitors from elsewhere.”