The case for a station
Newburgh has the potential to generate new sustainable businesses. An essential start is a reopened train station. But while the bus service remains poor and the congested main road struggles to cope, Newburgh will not prosper
Unreliable, infrequent buses
Years of complaints about poor public transport, prompted changes to the Newburgh bus timetable in 2024 and 2025. New routes and an expanded bus timetable were introduced. Then this November Stagecoach removed the service to the nearest station in Cupar. The company has form here!
Despite the climate emergency, the Scottish Government, pulled funding from the Bus Partnership Fund in 2023, 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 drivers to switch.​​
Public transport in Newburgh
17% of Scotland's population live in rural communities of which 20% are without a car. Most rely on public transport which can be a very mixed experience. Services come and go, prices vary. Access to health and education is a right. But this is not always easy in rural areas.
Public Health Scotland, state on their website that a lack of transport options can effect health and create health inequalities. They state that poor transport can limit access to the building blocks of good health, such as good work, training and education.
How can you rely on bus services to reach beyond Newburgh when operators will not guarantee a service will remain operational?
With bus services failing to gain traction, 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.
There have been instances of lorries mounting pavements to edge around other lorries - in some cases pedestrians having to move back to let trucks pass! The tyranny of the quarry lorries and other commercial vehicles and the growing rush hour in this small town is causing low-grade but persistent structural damage, noise and pollution issues, New housing development in Newburgh will put yet more pressure on the roads.​​
The town's linoleum factory and largest employer shut in 1980. Its Oilskin Fabric, fabrics, shipping and fishing industries disappeared too. Today commercial activity is limited to nearby quarrying. There is a lack of opportunity for young people in rural areas with long distances to centres of education and employment.
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Without out significant financial input Newburgh commercial prospects are limited. Why do business in the town when you can set up elsewhere nearer to rail?
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Business opportunities
50 years on and former industrial communities still feel the effect of the decline and closure of their industries, according to a new report from the Social Mobility Commission. Many areas across the UK that once thrived still experience significant disadvantage. Newburgh is one such town.
