Joint release with East Renfrewshire Council

20 November 2003

Transport moves get on track

Moves to boost public transport in East Renfrewshire got on track yesterday when Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of Strathclyde Passenger Transport, sat down with council chiefs to discuss developing links.

Councillor Watson was invited by Councillor Charlie Gilbert who represents East Renfrewshire on SPT along with Councillor Alan Lafferty.

The SPT Chair viewed the proposed site of a new halt at Upper Auchenback on the Neilston line, cast his eye over the same line's Patterton Station, where an enhanced park-and-ride facility is planned, and talked over plans for an orbital bus route circling the outer ring of Glasgow which is designed to link the east and west of East Renfrewshire, and with other council areas.

Councillor Charlie Gilbert said: "The response of Councillor Watson and his SPT officials was most encouraging. Clearly, there is a great deal of work to be done but we are most encouraged following Councillor Watson's visit to us. East Renfrewshire is an area of growth which needs first-class public transport developed to encourage people to transfer from cars to other modes of transport."

Councillor Alistair Watson said: "I was very pleased to visit East Renfrewshire to see and discuss proposed developments. SPT is in the business of developing and promoting effective and sustainable public transport and I was impressed by the proposals being made by East Renfrewshire Council.

"I have asked SPT officers to examine these proposals in more detail and I understand the council officers are in discussion with private developers in connection with the Upper Auchenback rail halt and the enhanced park-and-ride scheme at Patterton. I have encouraged them to proceed with those discussions as a key part of taking these projects forward in partnership with ourselves."

East Renfrewshire Council leader, Councillor Owen Taylor said: "The discussions we had with Councillor Watson and the SPT officials were very fruitful. East Renfrewshire is very pleased to play its part with SPT in developing enhanced public transport which benefits not just our own residents and businesses, but those of neighbouring councils, and, especially, Glasgow, which is the focal point of our transport links."

ends