28 October 2003

Crossrail bid submitted to Transport Minister

The Scottish Transport Minister was today handed a document outlining detailed proposals for a Crossrail project that will create a north-south rail link across Glasgow, increase capacity at Queen Street and Central stations and new rail stations at West Street and Glasgow Cross. As well as the local benefits the Crossrail project will enable the Scottish Executive's Airdrie to Bathgate and Cumbernauld to Falkirk and Stirling enhancements, together with allowing direct travel to Glasgow airport from other parts of the country.

The request submitted to the Scottish Minister seeks funding to bring the Crossrail project to a detailed stage of development so that the costs can be fully reviewed and the appropriate powers for construction can be sought. SPT is requesting £500,000 from the Scottish Executive and will contribute £100,000 from its own capital budget.

The Crossrail project is composed of the High Street Curve, City Union Line upgrade, Strathbungo link, Yorkhill/Kelvinhaugh turnback and new stations at Glasgow Cross and West Street. Current estimates demonstrate that the project can be constructed for £38million.

Alistair Watson, Chair of SPT, today met with the Transport Minister to discuss the proposal. Commenting on the document that was submitted to the Minister Councillor Watson said:

"It is clear that Crossrail will deliver massive benefits for cross city travel and is of national strategic importance. The Crossrail project can be delivered quickly and cheaply and is a vital and important missing link in the national rail network.

"SPT has an excellent track record of delivering major infrastructure projects and this missing link will allow that work to continue and see much greater connections available to the public and make it easier to use public transport rather than the car.

"Not only does Crossrail integrate services on the rail network but it will also see further integration of the Subway with the provision of an interchange at West Street. The work will bring major social benefits, particularly around the Gorbals area of Glasgow.

"The completion of Crossrail will be of a national benefit allowing direct journeys from Ayrshire and Inverclyde to Edinburgh, Stirling and beyond. If the Edinburgh and Glasgow airport rail links are also progressed Crossrail will enable direct journeys to be made between Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Similarly cross-Glasgow journeys may be provided by linking local services or by a combination of longer distance services.

"Crossrail will support the Scottish Executive's ambitions as outlined in the Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies report. The possible extension and enhancement of Airdrie to Drumgelloch services with the reopening of the Airdrie to Bathgate line, and the proposed diversion of the Cumbernauld to Glasgow service to operate to Queen Street Low Level will all be deliverable with the provision of Crossrail."

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