AN ONLINE public meeting is set to go ahead this week, discussing the future of rail in the Wee County and the wider region.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell is hosting the virtual meeting on Thursday, March 4, detailing his party's recently published £22billion Rail for All programme.

The meeting comes after the investment plan was debated at Holyrood last week, continuing calls for a modern zero-carbon network that is affordable and accessible to everyone.

The programme includes the re-opening of the Alloa to Dunfermline railway line to passengers, which Mr Ruskell has been campaigning for over the years.

Speaking after the debate last week, MSP Ruskell said: "Over the last five years I've helped progress a number of feasibility studies into new rail links and stations in Fife, but there comes a point where we have to move to actually delivering the new infrastructure needed.

"Last year, the Green MSPs won an extra £5m in budget negotiations for rail investment, which has paid for the studies currently underway into electrifying the existing freight route from Alloa to Longannet, but there's still no firm commitment from the Scottish Government to include a passenger service on the line, or for any plans beyond Longannet to the east and onto Dunfermline.

"With less than 10 years left to tackle the climate emergency, and with transport now Scotland's largest emitter by sector, we need an urgent shift in how we travel.

"An expanded, zero-carbon rail network could help deliver that change, whilst the jobs and investment it would bring could make a real contribution to the green recovery from the pandemic."

Thursday's public meeting will see rail experts David Prescott and David Spaven, the duo who authored the Rail for All programme, on hand to explain specific proposals.

People joining in will be encouraged to have their say on the proposals and there will be breakout rooms for discussions on individual projects.

Mr Ruskell added: "These meetings are a chance for you to share your views on the future of the railway in Fife and Clackmannanshire.

"I am very much looking forward to a lively, energetic discussion on this important issue."

Those interested can visit bit.ly/37KTI0T to sign up for the event, which will start at 7pm.