(Image: PA)
A campaign has been launched to re-open the Stirling-Dunfermline rail line to allow passengers to travel between the two cities.
The Bring Back the Line campaign is aiming to raise awareness and gather support for the re-opening of the line which currently is utilised by freight trains.
The campaign group launched in July and is chaired by former MSP Dr Richard Simpson and vice-chaired by Cameron Little.
Campaign secretary David Neeson lives close to the railway line in Clackmannan and told The Press: "I think with the line open it will bring benefits to the local communities that are along the line and also open up opportunities for tourism.
"What we're hoping to achieve essentially is to reopen the line. So currently the line does have freight traffic and occasional tourist specials. But other than that, it's languishing and it really could be put to much greater use.
"The ultimate aim is to have the line open for passenger traffic because it's already in use, just no for passengers. If you're going between Dunfermline and Stirling, which is an intercity route, you have to go to Edinburgh and then come back to Stirling. If you want to go to Alloa, you have to go to Edinburgh first, then Stirling, then back to Alloa."
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Greens MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell has previously supported the campaign. He proposed plans for the line to be in use by 2029 in a report which was revealed in 2025.
Mr Neeson continued: "The line runs past my door and I would really like to see the line being used rather than falling back to ruin. We spent a lot of money getting it reopened and I think we should be using it for the benefit of the community and the public at large.
"There's quite a few areas, especially Clackmannan and the villages in West Fife that could really benefit because these have all become commuter villages. If we're going to commute we need to use public transport and the bus services are in decline. The rail line is right there, so why not use it?"
As the campaign is in its early stages, the aim is currently to attract support from politicians and the public.
Mr Neeson added: "We're starting to gain some traction from MSPs. We haven't spoke to the MPs yet, but that's something for the near future. We've had quite a bit of support from locals.
"Since we've started talking about opening the line from Stirling to Alloa, the politicians have also talked about opening the line from Alloa to Dunfermline which would be the next logical step.
"There's been a lot of talk in the last 24 years but there's not been any real action. I think it's time we give them a nudge because it would benefit the communities along the line."