Press Release

SMITH WELCOMES AIRPORT RAIL LINK CONSULTATION

08/11/04

Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, has welcomed the start of the public consultation into an Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.

The proposed service will operate from a station at the airport terminal and link Edinburgh Airport to the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line after passing through a tunnel under the runway. The rail link is expected to be operational by 2010.

Margaret Smith said:

“I welcome this very important infrastructure project. This rail link offers the potential for better integrated transport in West Edinburgh, as well as the opportunity for hundreds of local people who currently travel to Glasgow on the congested M8 to make the transfer to rail.

“The rail link will connect Edinburgh Airport not only to Edinburgh City Centre, but also to the whole of Scotland .

“It is important that we make sure the project represents good value for the public purse & I look forward to issues around funding, construction, rolling stock & the impact on the local community being investigated by the consultation and in due course by the Scottish Parliament.”

ENDS