Smith leads calls for swift action on Edinburgh Park halt

7/2/08

Margaret Smith MSP held a Members Debate in Parliament today calling for action to include Edinburgh Park Railway Station as a stop on the Glasgow to Edinburgh mainline. The station was opened in 2003 but the current Transport Minister has said it is unlikely that Edinburgh-Glasgow trains will stop there until 2016.

Commenting before the debate, the Edinburgh West MSP said:

“Edinburgh Park is the fourth largest economic centre in Scotland so this is an important issue for the Scottish economy, and I am really pleased that MSPs from a number of parties have supported my motion on this issue.

“Tens of thousands of people commute to the Edinburgh Park area every day and many more jobs will be created there in the future, so it is vital that we ensure that there are convenient and sustainable transport links for staff and visitors from across the central belt to tackle congestion.

“Before May’s election, progress was being made towards securing a halt at Edinburgh Park on Edinburgh-Glasgow services, but this has now come to a standstill. I hope that the Scottish Government will now recognise the importance of delivering this long-standing commitment, and the support for this, and act swiftly.”

Council and Business Leaders back the campaign

Pamela Grant, the development director of New Edinburgh Limited, the developers of Edinburgh Park said: “Strong transport links are fundamental to the area’s success and the inclusion of Edinburgh Park station on the Glasgow-Edinburgh mainline is an essential provision for the local business community.

“The £4.5 million investment in the station was based on an assurance that trains on the Glasgow/Edinburgh route would stop at The Park. New Edinburgh Limited welcomes the continued political support to help drive forward our case to grant Edinburgh Park station mainline status.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jenny Dawe commented: “It is staggering that the Scottish Government is backsliding on a Ministerial commitment to have mainline Edinburgh-Glasgow trains stopping at Edinburgh Park Station by the end of 2007.

“That this may not be done until 2016 is simply not good enough.  The Scottish Government should be capitalising on, and investing in, Scotland's economic successes.  Any delay blunts West Edinburgh’s competitive advantage as a key European investment location.”

Councillor Tom Buchanan, Convener of Economic Development, City of Edinburgh Council said: “It is vitally important for the city’s economic wellbeing that Edinburgh Park is fully integrated into the mainline rail network. As one of Europe’s leading business locations, Edinburgh Park has seen massive growth over the past 5 years, outstripping even the economies of China and India.

“A properly functioning, adequately serviced railway station is essential if we are to see this growth continue and allow Edinburgh Park to deliver for Scotland as a whole.”

BT Scotland Director, Brendan Dick said: “Good transport links across the central belt are essential in enabling our operations and increasing productivity, which benefits Scotland's economy, so the inclusion of Edinburgh Park as a regular stop on the main line is an important aspect of making best use of public transport.”