The first round of successful applicants to the Local Rail Development Fund have been revealed.

Approximately 10 local communities will benefit from £681,000 rail funding.

The communities will use the fund to carry out a multi-modal transport appraisal which could potentially bring forward proposals for improvements to rail connections in their areas.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, made the announcement in St Andrews on a visit to one of the successful groups, St Andrews Rail Link (StARLink).

He said: "Since 2007, we have invested around £8bn to help build the best railway Scotland has ever had. The success of this relies on communities embracing the potential harnessed by the railway and it is very pleasing to see so much interest in the Local Rail Development Fund.

"Providing funding for these transport appraisals will allow the successful applicants to consider the transport issues and opportunities affecting their local communities. It has been great to hear, first-hand, the enthusiasm and drive behind them.

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"Helping communities bring forward proposals to tackle these specific, local rail connectivity issues, will allow us to consider potential projects as part of our plans for future investment in our railways."

StARLink Convenor Jane Ann Liston added: "As a prime national and international destination, being the Home of Golf and Scotland's oldest university, the historic tourist destination of St Andrews has suffered for years from the onslaught of increasing traffic clogging up the town.

"The StARLink campaign believes that the option of direct rail travel from Edinburgh, including the airport interchange, and Dundee to the town would significantly alleviate both the physical and environmental effects of too many cars in the a small town with a mediaeval layout. In addition, improving the connectivity with the likes of Cupar, Dundee and Dunfermline will spread the economic benefits generated by St Andrews over the whole of Fife and also across the Tay."

A full list of successful applicants and the potential rail elements is available below:

• East Lothian Council – Haddington

• Fife Council – Cross Forth Travel

• Hitrans – HMNB Clyde Transport Opportunities

• Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council – Access to Linlithgow Station

• Nestrans – Accessibility at Insch Station

• Newburgh Train Station Group – Newburgh

• StARLink – St Andrews      

• South Lanarkshire Council – connectivity in Clydesdale

• Tactran – Bridge of Earn/Oudenarde P&R

• Tactran – Stirling Strategic P&R.

(CM)