18 April 2008
Minister's boost for Crossrail campaign
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has said he would welcome the Glasgow Crossrail project being considered as a possible priority in the review of major rail projects due in the summer.
Stewart Stevenson said he was looking forward to receiving a final business case study from SPT.
He was speaking on Thursday evening in a member’s debate at the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Stevenson said: “The Strategic Transport Projects Review is the way to take things forward. Glasgow has to become an attractive place to work and to travel to work, its transport infrastructure has to be fit for a great Commonwealth city.”
The cross-Glasgow rail project, sponsored by SPT, was given enthusiastic cross-party support in the parliamentary debate.
Moving the motion, which called for Crossrail to be recognised as a national priority, Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Butler said the time has come for the project.
He also said the minister should take a serious look at SPT’s most recent proposals which suggest that it should be possible to undertake the project in three phases, if that was the best way to guarantee funding.
SNP MSP Sandra White also spoke in the debate. She said Crossrail had been debated for too long and it was time for action.
City region
She praised the tenacity shown by SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson in pushing Crossrail, with a willingness to work with all political parties.
For the Tories, Alex Johnstone said there was clear cross-party political will that Crossrail be brought forward and long time supporter of the project Robert Brown, of the Lib Dems, said that Crossrail was relatively modest in cost and would create a genuine city region in the West of Scotland.
He said Crossrail was really an essential part of the original vision to create the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
For his part, the minister said in his opening remarks that he wanted to thank SPT for the sterling work it had done on GARL.
Mr Stevenson said SPT’s stewardship had allowed Transport Scotland to take on the completion of a project in good heart.
Click here for a map outlining the proposed Crossrail connections. (Opens a new window).