Cash would be better spent on rail upgrade
East Kilbride commuters have known for a long time that our train service is far from ideal.
Trains arrive late, or not at all, there are sometimes too few carriages and, to top it all, if you drive to either of our stations there is nowhere to park.
We’d be able to have more frequent and quicker trains if the line was fully dual-tracked and electrified.
I have raised this recently with ScotRail and transport minister Humza Yousaf.
Mr Yousaf and I agree that something needs to be done and we also agree that one way to fund the major works required would be to use City Deal money.
Now South Lanarkshire Council has promoted a number of projects under City Deal and most of them are roads.
Roads they’ve wanted to build for decades but roads, in some cases, that we don’t need or want.
Stewartfield Way is a case in point.
I believe that the money set aside for that needless project could be put towards giving the town a better train service.
I have now written to council leader John Ross asking him to consider the option.
There are deep concerns over the Glasgow City Deal and the way projects have been promoted on the back of flimsy business cases.
The new councils across the region now have the opportunity to start afresh and get it right.
The other week I held a public meeting with East Kilbride West councillor Ian Harrow to look at the problems caused by parking near Hairmyres station and possible solutions. Ian will take some of the suggestions back to South Lanarkshire Council to see if we can finally find a solution to this ongoing problem.
Sticking with Hairmyres, I visited Kilbryde Hospice recently.
The building opened more than two years ago but has state-oftheart equipment, including 12 beds, that have never been used.
This is because we are still waiting for NHS Lanarkshire to commit to using the hospice.
I have written to chief executive Calum Campbell asking for a speedy resolution as it is quite shocking that after raising more than £4 million, the town still doesn’t have a facility that we can truly call a hospice.
Finally, I would like to offer my congratulations to those who organised and participated in East Kilbride Relay for Life which was held recently.
This fantastic event has just celebrated its 20th year.
Over 200 people put on their running and walking shoes for a 24-hour marathon at the John Wright Sports Centre and hoped to raise around £45,000 – a magnificent achievement.
As always, the good people of East Kilbride turned out to support the weary walkers.
Well done to all.
Roads, in some cases, that we don’t need or want. Stewartfield Way is a case in point