MSP supports StARLink campaign
09, 09 25 18:50
An MSP voiced his support for the StARLink campaign in the Scottish Parliament during a debate about Scotland's railway.
During 'The Future of Scotland's Railway' debate in Holyrood, Mark Ruskell MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, said,
'I have been pleased to support four rail campaigns in Fife over the years. One of those—Levenmouth—has now been built; Newburgh is, I hope, on the cusp of a positive decision; and the St Andrews and Dunfermline to Alloa project is waiting for the right moment to progress. Across Scotland, from the north-east to the Borders, communities are developing business cases for new stations. They are building the vision of Scotland’s railways from the bottom up, and they need our support.'
The Scottish Green went on,
'A number of years ago, the Greens successfully made a case to the Scottish Government that we need a seed fund for local rail development to help communities put together business cases for station reopenings. I am pleased that Newburgh, St Andrews and other communities around Scotland have benefited from that, but there is a frustration that it takes years and years to get through the Scottish transport appraisal guidance process, to engage with Transport Scotland officials and regional transport partnerships and to build a case so that communities can become part
of that bigger network. I am heartened by what the cabinet secretary said about Newburgh and a decision being made fairly soon, but that has been years in the making and community stamina is an issue.'
The comment about the length of time is most apposite, as it is nearly 18 months since the Detailed Options Appraisal was submitted to Transport Scotland. Surely the feedback and details of the next steps must be imminent?
Thank you, Mark.
During 'The Future of Scotland's Railway' debate in Holyrood, Mark Ruskell MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, said,
'I have been pleased to support four rail campaigns in Fife over the years. One of those—Levenmouth—has now been built; Newburgh is, I hope, on the cusp of a positive decision; and the St Andrews and Dunfermline to Alloa project is waiting for the right moment to progress. Across Scotland, from the north-east to the Borders, communities are developing business cases for new stations. They are building the vision of Scotland’s railways from the bottom up, and they need our support.'
The Scottish Green went on,
'A number of years ago, the Greens successfully made a case to the Scottish Government that we need a seed fund for local rail development to help communities put together business cases for station reopenings. I am pleased that Newburgh, St Andrews and other communities around Scotland have benefited from that, but there is a frustration that it takes years and years to get through the Scottish transport appraisal guidance process, to engage with Transport Scotland officials and regional transport partnerships and to build a case so that communities can become part
of that bigger network. I am heartened by what the cabinet secretary said about Newburgh and a decision being made fairly soon, but that has been years in the making and community stamina is an issue.'
The comment about the length of time is most apposite, as it is nearly 18 months since the Detailed Options Appraisal was submitted to Transport Scotland. Surely the feedback and details of the next steps must be imminent?
Thank you, Mark.