New local rail links are a step closer after the Scottish Government announced funding for studies.
Fife campaigners fighting for a new line to St Andrews and stops at Newburgh and Oudenarde were the first to receive grants from a £2 million rail fund.
St Andrews Rail Link (StARLink) said the award of £40,000 was a “leap forward”, while Newburgh Train Station Group said receiving £82,000 was great news for the town.
A sum of £97,000 has gone to transport partnership Tactran, which wants to establish a park and ride at the new village of Oudenarde by Bridge of Earn.
The grants will fund multi-modal transport appraisals.
A study of traveller behaviour, including parking at railway stations in the Forth Bridgehead area, is also to be conducted by Fife Council, and was awarded £170,000.
After years of campaigning for St Andrews to be linked to the east coast main line, Jane Ann Liston, convener of StARLink, said: “This is a great leap forward. It is a stamp of approval from the Scottish Government.”
A campaign to re- establish the Levenmouth rail link is further along the line, an appraisal having already been conducted.