Let’s go straight to Edinburgh
MSP calls for direct railway link to the capital
Passengers should be able to travel easily from Renfrewshire to Edinburgh direct by train, an MSP insists.
Neil Bibby wants stations across the region to be linked to the capital.
He has urged the Scottish Government to join tracks between Glasgow Central and Queen Street.
The Labour man says a crossrail project would open the door for passengers from Paisley to go to other parts of the country without having to change train.
He said: “Right now, there are only a small number of direct services from Renfrewshire to Edinburgh, which go via Carstairs.
“They take too long and the vast majority of commuters heading to the capital still have to change trains at Glasgow.
“Glasgow Crossrail would give more passengers the chance to get on a train at somewhere like Gilmour Street and take it straight through to Edinburgh.
“It would cut out unnecessary changeovers in the city centre, reduce travel times and make journeys easier and more comfortable for passengers.”
Lobby group Railqwest is among those lending support to the call.
It says linking lines between Shields Road and the Edinburgh side of Queen Street would allow trains to bypass the major Glasgow stations.
This would allow passengers to head directly to Coatbridge, Airdrie, Bathgate, Livingston and Edinburgh.
Campaigners say it would take around six months to complete and would cost around £25million.
Mr Bibby urged Holyrood to commit to the project during parliamentary questions this week.
He said: “Crossrail represents a massive opportunity to transform Scotland’s rail network.
“It would get more people switching to public transport and join up communities across the West of Scotland with the capital and the rest of the country.
“It would complement a new airport rail link and bring more people into Renfrewshire too.
“Delivering Crossrail will require substantial investment but it is worth it to make our rail network fit for the future.
“Yet for years, the SNP has ignored the case for Crossrail.
“Despite being presented with evidence as far back as 2008 that Glasgow Crossrail would be used by four million people per year and that it would contribute a billion pounds to the Scottish economy, they have consistently failed to support the scheme.
“It’s time for the Scottish Government to think again and get on board with Crossrail.”
The Scottish Government published a report mooting a crossrail solution to link the country’s rail network a decade ago.
It was flagged- up as one of almost 30 infrastructure projects to improve transport.
But ministers have never committed to the scheme and it remains on a list of potential future investments.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says the proposal could be revisited.
He said: “I am aware of issues around the crossrail scheme.
“Mr Bibby will know the project was considered as part of the strategic transport projects review in 2008, but, for a number of reasons, a decision was made that it would not be progressed.
“If the relevant local authorities and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport want to submit a bid to the local rail development fund in order to explore whether crossrail can be progressed in a way that is feasible, is financially viable and will make an improvement to the rail services around Glasgow, that opportunity exists.”