This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New rail line for Lanarkshire
09/12/2005
A new rail route between Lanarkshire and Glasgow officially opened today.
Launching the new service, First Minister Jack McConnell said it was the first of Scotland's major rail projects and will generate wealth and breathe new life into Lanarkshire.
He was speaking at the opening of the new Larkhall/Milngavie branch line. The new route means that communities and businesses in Lanarkshire will have direct rail access to Glasgow for the first time since the old line closed in 1968.
The project was completed on time and on budget. This is the first project in the Executive's programme of major public transport infrastructure projects to be delivered. Other projects in the programme include the Airdrie to Bathgate line and rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
The First Minister said:
"Today marks the end of nearly four decades of waiting for the communities in the area. The opening of this line will breathe new life into Lanarkshire. It will connect people with jobs and businesses with customers. It will make sure that an area that has faced and overcome many challenges can continue to grow and prosper.
"Getting Scotland moving will get Scotland growing. New train lines, new airports and air routes, new roads and major investment in ferries. These are the investments that will make a real difference to our country. These are the projects that we are delivering.
"Today is an historic day. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in making this project happen. It is our first fully reopened branch line in quarter of a century. It won't be our last."
Minister for Transport, Tavish Scott said:
"I am delighted this project has been delivered on time and on budget. The opening of the line delivers the first of our major rail projects. Projects that will bring real benefits to local communities through attracting business and increasing access to jobs, education and health services.
"We want a transport system that gets Scotland's goods and people moving. This devolved government has ensured sustained investment in Scotland's transport network, with increased spending of one billion pounds per year, 70 per cent of which will be targeted to public transport."
This railway reconnects Larkhall to the rail network, helping to reduce social exclusion in Larkhall, providing a half-hourly Larkhall to Glasgow Central service. Services will run on to Hyndland and Milngavie, doubling the frequency of daytime service from Glasgow Central.
A new station has been opened to serve business and housing growth near Glasgow Science Park. Kelvindale station on the northern suburban line opened in September 2005.
The project cost £34.5 million and was promoted by Strathclyde Passenger Transport.
Approximately £1.6 billion is being invested in Major Rail Infrastructure Projects including:
- Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway which will reconnect Alloa to the rail network
- rail links to both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports
- the redevelopment of Waverley station
- a tram network in Edinburgh
- the re-opening the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link