This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Work starts on historic rail link
24/02/2004
Work started today on the historic Larkhall to Milngavie
rail link which is expected to benefit 1.5 million
passengers a year.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said the first rail
link to fully reopen in Scotland since 1979 will bring real
benefits to its surrounding communities, improving access
to jobs, education and health services.
Work started on the new £35 million route this month
after the Executive increased its contribution to £25
million last December. The line is expected to fully reopen
by the end of 2005.
The re-opening of the line will ensure:
• A half hourly service between Larkhall and Dalmuir,
via Hamilton, Glasgow and Partick
• Greater frequency of cross-city services between
the south east and north west of Glasgow
• New stations at Merryton and Chatelherault on the
Larkhall line and Dawsholm on the Maryhill line
• The reinstatement of the first passenger rail
service between Hamilton and Larkhall since 1965
• The first passenger service between Anniesland (the
former Great Western Road station) and Maryhill since
1917
Transport Minister Transport Stephen said:
"It is a historic day to see the start of work on what
will be Scotland's first fully reopened branch line for
more than 25 years. The new Larkhall to Milngavie line will
bring real benefits to its communities, attracting business
and increasing access to jobs, education and health
services.
"The reopening of this rail link demonstrates our
commitment to improving Scotland's rail services. By
investing in better public transport we are investing in
our local communities and supporting business. This rail
route will increase the frequency of trains across Glasgow
and will put Larkhall firmly back on the transport
map."
The Minister announced last December that the Executive
would increase its funding contribution from £16 million to
£25 million. Strathclyde Passenger Transport will fund £9.1
million and South Lanarkshire Council will contribute
£400,000. The Executive's £25 million funding will come
from the Integrated Transport Fund. The £16 million was
announced in August 2001.