21.09.12
Call for EGIP cuts to be reversed
Campaigners are urging the Scottish Government to reverse a cut in funding for the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).
The original £1bn electrification and infrastructure project would have resulted in six trains an hour on the main line, as well as providing easy access to the airport via tram.
In July, the scheme was revised with £350m less investment. This means only four trains will be run per hour and trains will no longer use the Gateway station, making it more difficult to reach the airport.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Transform Scotland have argued that the cut could put Scotland at a serious disadvantage by deterring investment.
In a briefing for MSPs, they said: “Scotland’s cities are recognised as key drivers of the Scottish economy and for the country and its regions to thrive and prosper in the 21st century a modern public transport system is essential.
“Apparent re-prioritisation and delay of many rail enhancements risks puts Scotland at a serious disadvantage to its competitors. Inward investors may well be deterred if they see the Government retreating from this promised investment.
“In marked contrast, the Westminster Government, following Scotland’s previous lead has just announced a huge raft of new rail investment across England and Wales. The message to the outside world could not be more clear.”
The Government said EGIP had always been intended to be built in stages.
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