Plans by Transport Scotland to include a £2 million community rail fund in its 10-year rail improvements investment strategy has been welcomed by the Scottish Greens.

The 'pre-pipeline local rail fund' will allow local promoters and others to bid for assistance with the costs of preparing appraisals and business cases which have a rail-connectivity aspect.

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Mark Ruskell, Climate Change spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "It's great to see the Green budget deal delivering a community rail fund to help unlock the potential in so many parts of Scotland,  where a connection to the rail network would improve local economies and access to jobs and education, and also help reduce the climate pollution caused by private car use.

"Communities such as Levenmouth, Newburgh, St Andrews and Kincardine in my own region have long had a vision of a better rail service, and this new fund will give all of them the opportunity to move forward with their business cases."

(LM/MH)