The case for a station
With a station, the town can raise business opportunities, letting Newburgh generate business and jobs
Newburgh is located in beautiful North East Fife beside the River Tay. There are great walks, cycle paths and abundant wildlife. The town itself is attractive, with interesting architecture and a quirky, interesting history. It really have all the elements needed to create a thriving tourist industry. A sustainable one too.
But, as things stand, any new tourism business, especially ecotourism, would be compromised by having most visitors coming by car - into a town with insufficient car parking space. Not enough visitors will come by bus.
A train station would be the catalyst for change. Easy connections make a day trip an easy thing to do. Edinburgh by train would be just over an hour away. Arrivals by car will be the reality for a while, but unlike the bus, a train service would attract more visitors to Newburgh. One day a town with a train station, An Active Travel Path and maybe a river taxi too!
Businesses are more than just a means to make a profit. They breathe life back into a community. A business may employ local people, it may take on apprentices. If it grows, it can then draw in other businesses. Workers buy goods and visit local bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. This can be Newburgh. We just need to to start the ball rolling.
For Newburgh, the catalyst will be a new rail station. Why start or move a business to Newburgh when there are other towns nearby connected to rail? Whatever effort is being put into improving the bus service will not change the fact that for may businesses Newburgh is not an attractive financial proposition without a station.
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The town wants to be a net contributor to the economy of Scotland. It wants to thrive, to become to become a vibrant self-supporting, busy town - one worth visiting and one worth working in.
Representatives from the rail industry, local government, NGOs, tourism and the Newburgh Train campaign spent an afternoon generating ideas for just what Newburgh could become with a train station. Newburgh can see a renaissance in its fortunes. was the principal takeaway.
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Inspired and supported by
Campaigning for walking, cycling and public transport to be the easiest and most affordable options for everyone
Making it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle
SEStran aims to lead the development of a transportation system for South East Scotland.
Railfuture is the UK's leading independent organisation campaigning for better rail services for passengers and freight.
