26 March 2007
Campaign for Crossrail Glasgow
Business leaders from across Scotland have joined with transport experts and politicians in calling for Crossrail Glasgow to be approved as an urgent priority.
Dr Lesley Sawers, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, today joined Cllr Alistair Watson, Chair of SPT, and Bill Butler MSP to officially launch the Crossrail Glasgow campaign.
The campaign includes a new website to provide information about the proposal and allow members of the public to sign up and support the scheme. Over 300 people have already pledged their support.
Crossrail Glasgow is the missing link in Scotland's rail network. Crossrail joins up the north and south Strathclyde rail networks, creating a crossing over the Clyde and opening up a huge range of new rail connections across Scotland. Crossrail will make it possible for people to travel from Edinburgh and the north of Scotland direct to Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Glasgow Airport without having to change trains.
Bill Butler MSP, Convenor of the Parliaments Cross Party Group on Crossrail, used the launch to highlight that SPT's proposal for Crossrail is the only feasible option and that any idea of a cross-city tunnel must be put aside. SPT has previously looked at a tunnel option, however costs were estimated at between £2 and £4 billion.
Already politicians across the political parties have agreed to support the campaign for Crossrail Glasgow. Those signed up include Cllr Ewan Aitken (leader of Edinburgh City Council), Sir Menzies Campbell MP, John Scott MSP, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Frank McAveety MSP. A full list of those who have signed up is attached to this release.
Lesley Sawers joined Alistair Watson and Bill Butler outside the Mercat building at Glasgow Cross which will form a new station should Crossrail get the go-ahead. Speaking about the campaign Dr Sawers said: "Crossrail is essential to keep Glasgow competitive and to ensure that the transport structure is in place to support Glasgow and the west of Scotland's ambitious growth plans. Glasgow's financial sector is growing and the regeneration of the Clyde waterfront is moving at a fast pace. However, Glasgow will fail to capture the benefits of regeneration if we don't have a transport system in place that makes travel with to the north of the city, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire easier and quicker.
"Crossrail is the missing link not only in the regional transport system, but in Scotland's rail network. The business community wants to see progress and for construction to begin as soon as possible; this requires early political support from all the political parties and by the Scottish Executive. This joint campaign will ensure that the Scottish Executive can be in no doubt about the widespread business support behind SPT's proposals."
Bill Butler welcomed the launch of the campaign saying: "Already Crossrail has been delayed for far too long. Some commentators continue to argue for a tunnel under Glasgow. However, any continued investigation into this option will be damaging and pointless.
"A tunnel could cost between £2 billion and £4 billion - an amazing 22 times more expensive than the currently proposed Crossrail project. Cost isn't the only factor. Digging a tunnel underneath Scotland's largest city would be hugely disruptive. It's difficult to see how normal city life could continue whilst construction took place."
Alistair Watson called for the new Scottish Parliament to treat Crossrail as a priority when members return after May 3rd. Cllr Watson said: "SPT is in the business of expanding the rail network. Crossrail opens up the whole railway network to the west of Scotland and the greater Glasgow area and - once the new rail link is completed - to Glasgow Airport. This taps into the vast potential rail market in Ayrshire and creates the opportunity for far more direct rail journeys.
"Crossrail's strategic importance goes beyond Glasgow's boundaries. It is strategically the most important project in Scotland. It gives us the railway equivalent of the M77 and the M8."
ends
Notes to editors
Crossrail Glasgow is the missing link in Scotland's rail network. Crossrail joins up the north and south rail networks, creating a crossing over the Clyde and opening up a huge range of new rail connections across Scotland. Crossrail Glasgow would involve:
- Building three new stations at Glasgow Cross , the Gorbals and at West Street Subway.
- Moving High Street station further east from the city centre and completely rebuilding the station.
- Investing in signalling and the electrification of rail services to deliver faster journey times and better reliability.
- Laying just under 2km of new track to connect the rail lines in the north and south of the city.
- Upgrading and restoring 3.5km of track.
- Building new sidings at Kelvinhaugh to the west of the city centre.
- Current cost estimated at around £120m-£130m.
Further information and an information pack can be found at www.crossrailglasgow.com
Politicians who have so far agreed to support Crossrail Glasgow include:
Kenneth MacIntosh MSP
Eastwood
Bill Butler MSP
Glasgow Anniesland
Cllr Christopher Mason
Liberal Democrat, Glasgow City Council
Cllr Ewan Aitken
Leader, Edinburgh City Council
Cllr Stephen Purcell
Leader, Glasgow City Council
Cllr Davie McLachlan
Vice-Chair, SPT
Sir Menzies Campbell MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Cllr Alison McInnes, Chair NESTRANS
Chair, North East Scotland Transport Partnership
Cllr Mary Paris
Glasgow City Council
Iain Smith MSP
Liberal Democrat, North East Fife
Cllr John Morrison
Leader, East Dunbartonshire Council
Jim Wallace MSP
Former Deputy First Minister
Bill Aitken MSP
Conservative MSP for Glasgow
Councillor John Lynch
Executive Member For Cultural and Leisure, Glasgow City Council
Brian Monteith MSP
Mid Scotland and Fife
Donald Gorrie MSP
Central Scotland
Frank McAveety MSP
Glasgow Shettleston
Cllr Alistair Watson
Chair SPT
Andrew Arbuckle MSP
Mid Scotland and Fife
Irene Oldfather MSP
Cunninghame South
Euan Robson MSP
Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Cllr John Mason
SNP, Glasgow City Council
John Scott MSP
Ayr
Sandra White MSP
Glasgow
Jo Swinson MP
East Dunbartonshire
Jamie Stone MSP
Caithness and Sutherland
Alan Reid MP
Argyll and Bute
Cllr David Fagan
Vice Chair SPT
Cllr Margaret Toner
South Ayrshire Council
Charlie Gordon MSP
Member for Cathcart
Alex Johnstone MSP
Conservative MSP for North East Scotland
David McLetchie MSP
MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands
John Purvis MEP
Murray Tosh MSP
West of Scotland
Nanette Milne MSP
North East Scotland
Lord James Douglas Hamilton MSP
Lothian
Peter Duncan
Chair, Scottish Conservative Party
David Mundell MP
David Davidson MSP
North East Scotland
Murdo Fraser MSP
Mid Scotland and Fife
Derek Brownlee MSP
South Scotland
Ted Brocklebank MSP
Mid Scotland and Fife
Alex Fergusson MSP
Galloway and Upper Nithsdale
Phil Gallie MSP
South Scotland
Margaret Mitchell MSP
Central Scotland
David Petrie MSP
Highland
Margaret Jamieson MSP
Kilmarnock and Loudon
Karen Whitefield MSP
Airdrie and Shotts
Jackie Baillie MSP
Dumbarton