14/4/2008Fury Over Rail Link Snub
PLANS to scrap the building of a train station at Plains in Airdrie by the Scottish Government have been met with outrage.
The previous Labour administration had agreed there was a strong case for the construction of a station at Plains as part of the Airdrie-Bathgate link.
It was hoped steps would be taken soon after the election to enable the construction of the station to take place while the main line was being built.
SNP Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson however has said the balance of evidence is currently against provision of a station.
MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Karen Whitefield, has condemned the decision taken by the Scottish Government not to proceed with the plans.
She said: "This announcement is a real blow for the people of Plains and surrounding villages in my constituency.
"A link to the Airdrie Bathgate line at Plains would have made a real difference to my constituents in Plains, allowing them greater access to employment opportunities and reducing deprivation levels within the community.
"It appears that the SNP Government have based their decision on a clinical cost benefit calculation rather than on the needs and interests of the people in Plains or on the overall benefit to the local economy."
Work started on the £300 million railway line that will give more options for commuters between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The scheme is said to plug a "missing link" boosting services in Lanarkshire and West Lothian, allowing for an extra four trains an hour between Glasgow and Edinburgh on a new route.
When the link is completed in 2010, it could help to bring in an estimated £720 million to the local economies each year.
But Ms Whitefield believes her constituents in Plains will miss out on these benefits.
She added: "Plains is a rural village, with a limited bus service, meaning that my constituents who live there have difficulty travelling into Airdrie, never mind Glasgow or Edinburgh.
"For the 40-50% of households which don't have a car, access to educational, employment, recreational and cultural opportunities is simply out of reach.
"For those households with a car, travelling outside Plains, there is little alternative but to join the traffic gridlock on the M8.
"Like me, constituents will be furious with the Governments' betrayal on this issue and I am sure they will join in my campaign to convince the Government to change their minds and provide a service to Plains that would be a real lifeline to the community."
Plains is one of North Lanarkshire's fastest growing villages, with around 2500 residents and hundreds of new houses either under construction or recently completed.
The previous Labour administration had agreed there was a strong case for the construction of a station at Plains as part of the Airdrie-Bathgate link.
It was hoped steps would be taken soon after the election to enable the construction of the station to take place while the main line was being built.
SNP Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson however has said the balance of evidence is currently against provision of a station.
MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Karen Whitefield, has condemned the decision taken by the Scottish Government not to proceed with the plans.
She said: "This announcement is a real blow for the people of Plains and surrounding villages in my constituency.
"A link to the Airdrie Bathgate line at Plains would have made a real difference to my constituents in Plains, allowing them greater access to employment opportunities and reducing deprivation levels within the community.
"It appears that the SNP Government have based their decision on a clinical cost benefit calculation rather than on the needs and interests of the people in Plains or on the overall benefit to the local economy."
Work started on the £300 million railway line that will give more options for commuters between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The scheme is said to plug a "missing link" boosting services in Lanarkshire and West Lothian, allowing for an extra four trains an hour between Glasgow and Edinburgh on a new route.
When the link is completed in 2010, it could help to bring in an estimated £720 million to the local economies each year.
But Ms Whitefield believes her constituents in Plains will miss out on these benefits.
She added: "Plains is a rural village, with a limited bus service, meaning that my constituents who live there have difficulty travelling into Airdrie, never mind Glasgow or Edinburgh.
"For the 40-50% of households which don't have a car, access to educational, employment, recreational and cultural opportunities is simply out of reach.
"For those households with a car, travelling outside Plains, there is little alternative but to join the traffic gridlock on the M8.
"Like me, constituents will be furious with the Governments' betrayal on this issue and I am sure they will join in my campaign to convince the Government to change their minds and provide a service to Plains that would be a real lifeline to the community."
Plains is one of North Lanarkshire's fastest growing villages, with around 2500 residents and hundreds of new houses either under construction or recently completed.
The Labour administration had NO plans for a station at Plains. Bingo Whitefield dangled the carrot of a station in front of the people of Plains, knowing fine well that Network Rail, having done their homework, had said it was unfeasible. Plains will have TWO stations within 2km of the village, Drumgelloch, and Caldercruix. Perhaps Bingo Whitefield and her comrade Dr Reid could do something about the awful state of the roads in Plains and the lack of a decent public bus service at night- although why change the habit of a lifetime by doing something for Airdrie? She was happy enough to close down the A&E at Monklands Hospital. I'm sure she will be happy in opposition, spouting off without having to deliver.