The case for a station
Post-industrial Newburgh has the potential to regenerate. Key to this is a reopened train station. While bus services remains poor and the congested main road struggles the town will not prosper.
Unreliable, infrequent buses
Years of complaints about the buses, prompted the introduction of new routes and an expanded bus timetable. Then last year Stagecoach removed these services.
​
The company cited 'commercial reasons' for doing so. In 2023 the Government pulled funding from the Bus Partnership Fund, a fund created to make buses a more ​attractive proposition.
With car use continuing to rise, and the expansion of train services glacial, many believe the Govt should reconsider their decision. But even if they do bus services would have to improve significantly to get at least some car drivers to switch.
Buses should be brought back into public ownership and at the very least be franchised - as a route to giving back to the public a measure of control.
50 years on and post industrial towns still feel the effect of the decline and closure of their industries, according to a recent report from the Social Mobility Commission.
Many of these communities still experience significant disadvantage. Newburgh is one such town.​ Its large linoleum factory shut in 1980. Oilskin Fabric , shipping and fishing industries followed. Today commercial activity is limited to nearby quarrying.
Across much of rural Scotland there is a lack of opportunity for young people. with long distances to reach education and employment - made worse by the declining reach and frequency of public transport.
​
Newburgh's commercial prospects are limited. Why do business in here when you can operate elsewhere nearer to rail?
17% of Scotland's population live in rural communities of which 20% do not own a car. Most rely on public transport which can be a very mixed experience.
Services come and go with little warning. prices for the same distances vary across much of Scotland*. Access to health and education is a right. But easy access in rural locations can often be difficult.
​
Public Health Scotland, state that a lack of decent transport effects health and often creates health inequalities. Poor transport can limit access to the building blocks of good health, such as good work, training and education.
How can rural communities rely on bus services when operators will not guarantee a service will remain operational?
Car use continues to rise. In the last 50 years, the number of licensed vehicles in Scotland has risen by 135%. This increasing number of cars competes with a growing volume of heavy vehicles.
Newburgh's modest A road is fast becoming a congested, very stressed highway.
​
A narrow high Streets leaves little room and large tipper lorries do sometimes mount the pavement to edge around other heavy vehicle
The tyranny of the quarry lorry and other commercial vehicles and the growing rush hour in this small town is causing low-grade persistent structural damage, excessive noise and pollution, New housing development in Newburgh will put yet more pressure on the roads.​​
