HOPES of restoring passenger services between Alloa and Dunfermline are finally back on track.

Campaigners have shared their delight at news the Clacks-Fife link could be returned after six decades in the sidings.

It comes amid proposals to electrify the Alloa to Longannet route and extend the line through west Fife.

Jane Ann Liston, secretary at thinktank Railfuture Scotland, said: "Railfuture Scotland backs a direct line from Glasgow to Dunfermline via Alloa which would clearly benefit travellers at both ends of the journey by cutting out the extra time spent going in and out of Edinburgh, and taking passengers away from the very busy lines through Haymarket into Waverley would be a great advantage.

"It would also benefit the towns of Clackmannan and Kincardine by restoring rail services which they have not enjoyed since 1930."

Network Rail engineers will be carrying out survey work in the coming months to determine if it will be possible to enhance the former freight line and introduce three new stations at Clackmannan, Kincardine and Longannet.

However, it is hoped it will lead eventually to the restoration of a direct link between Glasgow and St ­Andrews.

Ms Liston added: "Railfuture Scotland would like to see the line extended in time to St Andrews, thus bringing about Glasgow-Stirling-Alloa-Dunfermline-Cupar-St Andrews trains and better connecting three university towns, particularly as the direct bus between St Andrews and Stirling has been taken off."

Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said he was encouraged to hear that support continues to build for the line.

He said: "Reconnecting the Alloa to Dunfermline with new stations at Clackmannan, Kincardine, and Longannet would be transformative for the whole region, bringing new opportunities for work, education and leisure.

"I've been backing this proposal for sometime now and it's good to see the critical mass of support forming.

"I am very hopeful we are going to see some significant progress to making the plans a reality in the coming months."

Graeme Stewart, Network Rail's sponsor for the development work on the new West of Fife enhancement proposals, added: "While it is still at a very early phase, there are ambitious plans to expand the railway and develop transport options that improve connectivity between towns in Clackmannanshire and Fife."