24 February 2004

Transport Minister signals start of construction on new Larkhall-Milngavie rail link

The creation of a new rail link between Larkhall and Milngavie came one step closer to reality today (24 February) as ground was officially broken by Transport Minister Nicol Stephen MSP to mark the start of the construction phase.

This imaginative £35m project is the biggest new rail scheme to be undertaken since the Argyle Line was reopened in 1979. Led by SPT working in partnership with the Scottish Executive, South Lanarkshire Council, Network Rail and ScotRail, the project will deliver in total 6.3km of new railway track. 4.7km of new track will extend south east from Hamilton to Larkhall, including a passing loop between Chatelherault and Merryton. The northern suburban line will be extended by 1.6km to provide a new link between Anniesland and Maryhill.

Four new stations are planned at Larkhall, Merryton and Chatelherault at the southern end of the line and Dawsholm near Maryhill, Glasgow. Two new class 334 "Juniper" trains have already been acquired for use on the route.

Travellers will benefit from this substantial investment in rail infrastructure as early as December 2004 when frequency of service from Hamilton to Anderston increases to four trains per hour. By late 2005, the additional half hourly service between Larkhall and Dalmuir will introduce 71 new train journeys each day into the network.

Following the ground breaking ceremony performed by the Scottish Transport Minister, SPT Chair Alistair Watson welcomed the start of construction saying:

"To get this project to the construction stage is an achievement and testimony to the focus and hard work by our team of business partners. It marks a significant milestone towards delivering a new cross Glasgow conurbation rail link that will provide lasting economic and environmental benefits to west central Scotland.

"I believe the Larkhall-Milngavie rail link is tangible evidence of SPT's commitment to joining up even more journeys by public transport and will provide a real alternative to the private car for many commuters."

Councillor Chris Thompson, Chair of South Lanarkshire Council's Enterprise Resources committee said:

"Larkhall is the largest settlement in West Central Scotland not currently served by a railway station and, as such, this new rail link will provide a huge boost to the local area.

"It will reduce the need to travel by car and provide an additional two trains per hour along the South Lanarkshire/Argyle line. Most importantly the rail link will provide access to employment, education and training opportunities throughout the Glasgow conurbation as well as providing greater access for visitors to Larkhall and to Chatelherault, with the knock-on effect of improving the local economy."

Ron McAuley, Regional Director for Network Rail in Scotland added:

"This is an extremely important project and it underlines the commitment of all parties involved. Once up and running, this line will deliver great benefits to the people who live in and around Milngavie and Larkhall."

ends