STATION THANKS

North Lanarkshire Council’s chief executive will write to the Scottish Government in the wake of a massive cash boost at Clelandtrain Station.

Murdostoun councillor Louise Roarty expressed her delight after receiving unanimous support at a meeting of the full council to have NLC’S new supremo Des Murray write to the Scottish Government and Network Rail to upgrade train stations which do not currently have appropriate disabled access.

Councillor Roarty recently secured a new footbridge and better disabled access worth £4 million for Cleland Station, as part of a £9.5 million upgrade programme – money which was in danger of being sent back to the treasury unspent.

She said:“i’m delighted to have received the backing of the full council and look forward to the chief executive writing to Network Rail and the Scottish Government to ensure we do all we can to improve disabled access at railway stations across North Lanarkshire.

“The improvement works at Cleland Station are welcomed but it’s important to note that the money that was found to progress this would have been sent back to the Uktreasury had it not been used before March 2019.

“It is my hope that the Scottish Government take the lead on this issue so that any and all money made available to them is spent on improving our communities.”