KINCARDINE is well placed to host a new railway headquarters, according to one MP calling on Fife Council to submit a bid for it.

Douglas Chapman has written to the local authority's chief executive to urge a bid for Kincardine to host a new railway headquarters.

The West Fife MP claimed the town was suited to host the future HQ building for the Great British Railways (GBR) organisation, and encouraged Steve Grimmond to put forward an expression of interest.

Mr Chapman sent his letter just days after Grant Shapps, secretary of state for transport, announced a search was underway to find a home for the HQ.

The Great British Railways organisation will be the future organisation that oversees the operational delivery of rail services, and will bring ownership of the infrastructure, fares, timetables, and planning network under one roof.

In his letter to Fife Council’s CEO, Mr Chapman said there were several reasons why Kincardine would be a suitable home for the headquarters.

These include Talgo’s intention to establish a train-building factory in the area which could compliment the organisation’s work, and the potential economic benefits the headquarters could bring to the former mining community.

Mr Chapman said: “These are exciting times for Kincardine, with schemes such as the regeneration project set to transform the town.

“The chance to host the Great British Railways HQ is an exciting opportunity which – if successful – could provide another boost.

“The community would benefit in terms of jobs and investment, and the organisation would benefit thanks to Kincardine’s focus on rail and its land ready for development.

“I hope Steve Grimond will consider my letter, and look forward to his response.”

The competition to find the new home of Great British Railways opened earlier this month.

As part of the government’s commitment to level up the UK, the headquarters will be based outside of London and bring a number of high-skilled jobs to the winning location.

Mr Shapps said: “Our railways have kept this country moving for almost 200 years, but it’s time to kickstart a new age that will shape our network for the next 200.

“I’m calling on people across the country to make the case for why the true home of the railways is on your doorstep.”

Applications will be measured against six criteria: alignment to levelling up objectives, connected and easy to get to, opportunities for GBR, railway heritage and links to the network, value for money and public support.

This central headquarters will be the heart of the rail network and provide strategic direction for the running of GBR.