19 February 2013
Community rail funding announcement welcomed
Transform Scotland have welcomed transport minister Keith Brown's announcement at today's Scottish Government community rail conference of financial support for the development of Community Rail Partnerships in Scotland. The Government announced £50k in 2013-14 and £150k in the following year.
Paul Tetlaw, Transform Scotland rail campaigner, said:
"We welcome the Government’s commitment to bringing the community rail concept to Scotland. This has a long and proven track record in England and Wales and we believe that it will prove equally successful in Scotland. We have world famous scenic lines that can bring valuable additional money to Scotland and we now look to the various stakeholders to come together to ensure that they are widely marketed."
Transform Scotland have been calling, over the past few years, for the introduction of the Community Rail Partnership approach to Scotland. In 2009, we published a comprehensive report,
Ayr-Stranraer rail regeneration study, on the options for improving rail services on that line.
Paul Tetlaw continued:
"Today’s announcement by transport minister Keith Brown that trains to Oban are to double in frequency from three to six is also welcome news and an example of what might be achieved more widely once Community Rail Partnerships are up and running."