ScotRail December 2018 Timetable change

[Stopper]

Linlithgow losing Stirling links & only remaining 4tph to Edinburgh is the biggest disappointment to passengers, from what I’ve been hearing at the station.

I think the main gripes are that Linlithgow & Polmont are getting minimal benefit (with some reduction) whilst stations like Camelon & Larbert are getting huge increases.

Also adding that there will be another 2tph through Newbridge Junction, which struggles heavily with 10tph as it is.

 

[Mingulay]

Journey time reductions on Glasgow - Edinburgh will also benefit Linlithgow. E&G services stop there too.

All timetables are a compromise, you can't make everyone happy. It feels like the right decision impacting on a relatively low number of customers, who can still make their journey with a change.

I do get that. It losing direct services is a backward step. Longer journeys more prone to further delay.

But my gripe is I was told I was getting a better service post electrification. Not just the marketing but letters from transport Scotland and scotrail in response to complaints of a poor service over the years. So I was misled. We were all misled. Not acceptable

 

[Kite159]

I do get that. It losing direct services is a backward step. Longer journeys more prone to further delay.

But my gripe is I was told I was getting a better service post electrification. Not just the marketing but letters from transport Scotland and scotrail in response to complaints of a poor service over the years. So I was misled. We were all misled. Not acceptable

Lets look at the current timings for the main flow from Dunblane to Edinburgh:

Picking a random off-peak departure, and it takes 66 minutes end to end at the moment. Come December that is reduced to 59 minutes. Now a 7 minute saving is a better service for those folk travelling to Edinburgh from the likes of Stirling.

Just think, in the evening peak the trains to Dunblane won't be carrying those passengers for Linlithgow or Polmont, so you might even get a seat!

Every timetable change has its winners & losers, but don't worry Transport Scotland will listen and get the timetable changed so the new Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Fakirk - Edinburgh services will run fast from Falkirk to Haymarket, just so a fare dodger from Polmont can continue travelling to Larbert without paying.

 

[Stopper]

Seems you’re not allowed to complain these days. The majority of Linlithgow/Polmont passengers (and Dunblane in this thread) are unhappy with the December timetable change. Are they expected to just say “oh well” and keep their mouths shut?

 

[Kite159]

Seems you’re not allowed to complain these days. The majority of Linlithgow/Polmont passengers (and Dunblane in this thread) are unhappy with the December timetable change. Are they expected to just say “oh well” and keep their mouths shut?

Have you asked the majority of users for their views on the new timetable? What percentage of users of Linlithgow/Polmont head towards Larbert & Stirling?

On how they will no longer have to fight it out for a seat with the Stirling folk, maybe not even with the Falkirk folk depending how big of a gap there is between the "via Cumbernauld" Glasgow services & the faster Stirling services.

 

[Stopper]

Have you asked the majority of users for their views on the new timetable? What percentage of users of Linlithgow/Polmont head towards Larbert & Stirling?

On how they will no longer have to fight it out for a seat with the Stirling folk, maybe not even with the Falkirk folk depending how big of a gap there is between the "via Cumbernauld" Glasgow services & the faster Stirling services.

Going by comments on here, the Linlithgow Facebook page and general chat on the platform it’s quite clear.

You can already get a seat on the majority of Stirling-Edinburgh trains anyway, let alone when they have 6-car 385s running.

Now they will have to put up with 3/4-car 385s (which Linlithgow could fill on it’s own, let alone adding Polmont/Falkirk passengers) that will be at the back of the queue at Newbridge Junction and likely the first ones to be canned during any disruption.

But yeah, we should all be jumping with joy.

 

[Mingulay]

Lets look at the current timings for the main flow from Dunblane to Edinburgh:

Picking a random off-peak departure, and it takes 66 minutes end to end at the moment. Come December that is reduced to 59 minutes. Now a 7 minute saving is a better service for those folk travelling to Edinburgh from the likes of Stirling.

Just think, in the evening peak the trains to Dunblane won't be carrying those passengers for Linlithgow or Polmont, so you might even get a seat!

Every timetable change has its winners & losers, but don't worry Transport Scotland will listen and get the timetable changed so the new Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Fakirk - Edinburgh services will run fast from Falkirk to Haymarket, just so a fare dodger from Polmont can continue travelling to Larbert without paying.

The simple test for judging a service change is yet to come. But I hope you accept that for the majority of rail users are commuters the test is simple. Is my daily journey to work better or worse ?

If it involves changes. Fewer choices that arrive within the reasonable commute window to arrive at your place of work on time and slower. Then you can hardly expect me to be indifferent about it. Add to that there was no hint there would be losers. Scotrail have been telling us all and me in writing post electrification would make my commute better. My commute! So it is reasonable to conclude I was misled

 

[Chrism20]

Going by comments on here, the Linlithgow Facebook page and general chat on the platform it’s quite clear.

You can already get a seat on the majority of Stirling-Edinburgh trains anyway, let alone when they have 6-car 385s running.

Now they will have to put up with 3/4-car 385s (which Linlithgow could fill on it’s own, let alone adding Polmont/Falkirk passengers) that will be at the back of the queue at Newbridge Junction and likely the first ones to be canned during any disruption.

But yeah, we should all be jumping with joy.

Thats funny because the word I have heard from family who commute five days a week from Linlithgow the majority of passengers on P1 of a morning couldn't give a toss where the train comes from/goes to before/after they get on/off so long as it turns up when it is supposed to.

The situation may be different over on P2 where the circa 85 fare paying passengers and multitude of fare dodgers are but the majority on P1 aren't really interested. Incidentally its the majority on P1 that will benefit from the changes.

You are also not the only member of the Linlithgow Facebook page and it certainly isn't awash with people complaining that they will have to change at Falkirk when travelling to Stirling.

 

[Stopper]

Thats funny because the word I have heard from family who commute five days a week from Linlithgow the majority of passengers on P1 of a morning couldn't give a toss where the train comes from/goes to before/after they get on/off so long as it turns up when it is supposed to.

The situation may be different over on P2 where the circa 85 fare paying passengers and multitude of fare dodgers are but the majority on P1 aren't really interested. Incidentally its the majority on P1 that will benefit from the changes.

You are also not the only member of the Linlithgow Facebook page and it certainly isn't awash with people complaining that they will have to change at Falkirk when travelling to Stirling.

I’m sure P1 users will be delighted with their 3/4-car single unit that will back of the queue at Newbridge Junction whilst they watch a half empty 6-car 385 fly past from Stirling.

If you actually look at the comments on the post on the FB page about the timetable you will see what I’m talking about. Several comments about it including people questioning whether ScotRail have lost the plot.

The fact Linlithgow is remaining 4tph to Edinburgh is also a joke. Outside Glasgow, Linlithgow has by far the most Edinburgh travellers on the E-G/SDA lines, considerably more than Stirling/Falkirk. I’m reliably informed that outside Glasgow there may not be a station in Scotland with more Edinburgh travellers than Linlithgow. Yet it’s remaining the same frequency with a couple of extended trains that will be rammed full (if the current long trains are anything to go by).

 

[Kite159]

Will it be half empty when the Falkirk users get wind of a half empty 6-coach 385 on an Edinburgh fast and change from Falkirk High to Falkirk G?

 

[Stopper]

A lot of assumptions made by the defenders of the timetable on here. Including that supposedly loads of Falkirk High and Croy will change to Grahamston and Cumbernauld. Anyway, the timetable is what it is, it won’t change and we’ll just have to put up with it, even if it means taking the car instead.

 

[Chrism20]

I’m sure P1 users will be delighted with their 3/4-car single unit that will back of the queue at Newbridge Junction whilst they watch a half empty 6-car 385 fly past from Stirling.

If you actually look at the comments on the post on the FB page about the timetable you will see what I’m talking about. Several comments about it including people questioning whether ScotRail have lost the plot.

The fact Linlithgow is remaining 4tph to Edinburgh is also a joke. Outside Glasgow, Linlithgow has by far the most Edinburgh travellers on the E-G/SDA lines, considerably more than Stirling/Falkirk. I’m reliably informed that outside Glasgow there may not be a station in Scotland with more Edinburgh travellers than Linlithgow. Yet it’s remaining the same frequency with a couple of extended trains that will be rammed full (if the current long trains are anything to go by).

I have actually looked at the Facebook comments, I have been looking regularly for at least the last fortnight and it is very similar to on here - its the same small number of people saying the same thing over and over again.

And quite why a 3/4 car unit timetabled to pass Newbridge Junction at around 25/55 minutes past the hour and timetabled to stop at Edinburgh Park is going to be held at Newbridge Junction to allow a 6 car unit timetabled to pass Newbridge Junction at around 11/41 minutes past the hour and also stops at Edinburgh Park is beyond me and suggests that you either haven't a clue what you are talking about or are trying to invent problems.

A lot of assumptions made by the defenders of the timetable on here. Including that supposedly loads of Falkirk High and Croy will change to Grahamston and Cumbernauld. Anyway, the timetable is what it is, it won’t change and we’ll just have to put up with it, even if it means taking the car instead.

You are making plenty of assumptions of your own here. Are you by any chance the understudy to the transport journalist of the year Al Dalton?

 

[Stopper]

Currently there are several units held every morning at Newbridge Junction. I have no reason to believe it will be absolutely fine after adding another 2tph. To suggest that I don’t have a clue for implying that the ‘lowest priority’ services of 12tph will be held at a nightmare of a junction quite frankly says it all about your argument IMO.

Seems you can’t complain on here without being aggressively shut down with no valid reason. I am not the only one that is opposed to this timetable change. I want the best timetable possible and we aren’t being given that, but unfortunately we’ll just have to live with it as I have said before. The car is becoming a much more attractive option.

 

[Chrism20]

Currently there are several units held every morning at Newbridge Junction. I have no reason to believe it will be absolutely fine after adding another 2tph.

Seems you can’t complain on here without being aggressively shut down with no valid reason. I am not the only one that is opposed to this timetable change. I want the best timetable possible and we aren’t being given that, but unfortunately we’ll just have to live with it as I have said before. The car is becoming a much more attractive option.

No one is saying it will be absolutely fine so please stop trying to turn everything round to suit your own narrative.

There really is only you and one other person loudly and continually complaining here and the other going by their posts on here is a perpetual complainer to ScotRail.

It’s been well known for years and by years I mean at least four of them, probably longer that there was going to be no increase in frequency from the intermediate stations due to the almond chord not being built but you continually refer back to there being no increase in frequency as if this is something that’s just been decided and is some kind of new revelation.

 

[Stopper]

I think it’s perfectly reasonable for Linlithgow passengers (which there have been a few on here, not just me) to be irked that Falkirk Grahamston and Camelon have had their frequency more than doubled whereas Linlithgow remains the same, despite needing an increase badly. It’s also had it’s westbound/platform 2 service weakened no matter what way you look at it.

As I’ve said, there is nothing I or any of the other complainants can do about this and we’ll just have to put up with it/head to the car.

 

[Kite159]

You make it sound like Larbert & Stirling etc are the number one destination for folk of Linlithgow & Polmont...

 

[Stopper]

You make it sound like Larbert & Stirling etc are the number one destination for folk of Linlithgow & Polmont...

Nope, not once have I ever said that. Yet another bizarre deflection which suggests to me you have no argument.

 

[kilonewton]

I too have perused the Linlithgow Facebook page, and a post with 15 responses from 6 different people, when the page has over 9000 members, does not prove a massive groundswell of opinion exists. The (limited) discussion on that Facebook page on this topic is somewhat typical of the entitled arrogance that can infect discussions on other topics on that page. And no, I’m not from over the Flints.
Yes, it’s annoying removing the simple link to Stirling, and it affects people I know who use it as a more convenient location to change to services heading further north, but the facts are for the majority of Linlithgow passengers, the level of service will be the same or even enhanced due to less passengers from further out between there & Edinburgh Park.
Yes, Newbridge is a choke point, and a simple analysis of conflicting moves between services from Bathgate and services towards Linlithgow throws up more than a few tight spots threading a Milngavie-Edinburgh service between two Edinburgh-Queen St High Level that are a handful of minutes apart. But until the Almond Chord is built, it is what it is.

 

[Stopper]

Until the Almond chord is built (which I fully support), was there any need to add an extra 2tph through Newbridge knowing the problems it may (almost certainly will) cause?

 

[Altnabreac]

Until the Almond chord is built (which I fully support), was there any need to add an extra 2tph through Newbridge knowing the problems it may (almost certainly will) cause?

It’s a balance. Increasing the Bathgate service to 4tph undoubtedly worsened the problems at Newbridge compared to when it was 2tph, even with electrification.

But look at the increase in traffic in the last ten years from those stations, they’ve been the fastest growing in Scotland, way ahead of Linlithgow in growth rate. And while Linlithgow is still the busiest single station in West Lothian between them Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate have well over twice as many passengers as Linlithgow.

So I’d say it has been worth it. Whether Grahamston, Camelon and Cumbernauld will see such increases and justify any potential downsides at Newbridge is as yet unknown but there is definite evidence that 4tph is a key to really strong increases in traffic.

 

[Kite159]

And if the timetable doesn't work out and the via Cumbernauld services carry fresh air, they can always be cut back to Falkirk G to free up paths at Newbridge junction come next May.

 

[Stopper]

And what happens to Polmont & Linlithgow?

 

[hexagon789]

And what happens to Polmont & Linlithgow?

Presumably the calls in the Edinburgh-Dunblanes would be re-instated.

 

[snookertam]

Until the Almond chord is built (which I fully support), was there any need to add an extra 2tph through Newbridge knowing the problems it may (almost certainly will) cause?

They arguably didn't *need* to and when they became available could have used the 385's to increase capacity on the existing Dunblane service. As much as people are targeting ScotRail for what they see as an unnecessary change, I actually think they're probably only doing what Transport Scotland have told them to do. Whether these changes actually make things better is up in the air, however TS will be looking at the possibility of improving journey times between Stirling and Edinburgh, and that appears to be what they're pursuing as part of the aim of making public transport more attractive than private car use. Once these routes are entirely over to 385 operation, then no doubt there will be further journey improvements.

By making the Dunblane/Edinburgh route faster, they've had to make them miss out Polmont & Linlithgow meaning that another service has to pick up the existing calls, which is where they've dreamt up the Cumbernauld service. Part of their publicity for this service is emphasising that now creates a direct link from places like Stepps & Gartcosh as well. Whether this turns out to be well used is anyone's guess, but arguably that route is very much under used currently.

Should they have waited until either Newbridge was changed or the Almond Chord was created? I'd say there's an operational argument for that certainly, but the people at TS are motivated by whatever pleases and brings good news stories for their bosses at the Scottish Government. Unfortunately for the good people of Linlithgow, it's easier to do this by bringing faster services to Stirling given it's status as an important city centre, than by just continuing to operate the same service but with more carriages.

I also think back to 2007 when we had the EARL proposals where a line would have burrowed underneath Edinburgh Airport with a new station being created, very much in the style of Schipol Airport's station. It was quickly jettisoned by the incoming government as unaffordable. I don't know whether that was the case but it would've been one mighty big project. Of course had it gone ahead we may not have seen the EGIP programme, but it does make me wonder about the possibilities of such a project and whether it should be re-examined as part of any Almond Chord proposal.

 

[Stopper]

They arguably didn't *need* to and when they became available could have used the 385's to increase capacity on the existing Dunblane service. As much as people are targeting ScotRail for what they see as an unnecessary change, I actually think they're probably only doing what Transport Scotland have told them to do. Whether these changes actually make things better is up in the air, however TS will be looking at the possibility of improving journey times between Stirling and Edinburgh, and that appears to be what they're pursuing as part of the aim of making public transport more attractive than private car use. Once these routes are entirely over to 385 operation, then no doubt there will be further journey improvements.

By making the Dunblane/Edinburgh route faster, they've had to make them miss out Polmont & Linlithgow meaning that another service has to pick up the existing calls, which is where they've dreamt up the Cumbernauld service. Part of their publicity for this service is emphasising that now creates a direct link from places like Stepps & Gartcosh as well. Whether this turns out to be well used is anyone's guess, but arguably that route is very much under used currently.

Should they have waited until either Newbridge was changed or the Almond Chord was created? I'd say there's an operational argument for that certainly, but the people at TS are motivated by whatever pleases and brings good news stories for their bosses at the Scottish Government. Unfortunately for the good people of Linlithgow, it's easier to do this by bringing faster services to Stirling given it's status as an important city centre, than by just continuing to operate the same service but with more carriages.

I also think back to 2007 when we had the EARL proposals where a line would have burrowed underneath Edinburgh Airport with a new station being created, very much in the style of Schipol Airport's station. It was quickly jettisoned by the incoming government as unaffordable. I don't know whether that was the case but it would've been one mighty big project. Of course had it gone ahead we may not have seen the EGIP programme, but it does make me wonder about the possibilities of such a project and whether it should be re-examined as part of any Almond Chord proposal.

Thanks for the good response.

At the moment Dunblane services at peak times are usually 3/4/5 cars and are rarely ever full and standing, contrary to the belief of some on here. During disruption and short-forming, trains are often full and standing between Polmont/Linlithgow and Edinburgh. With 6-car 385s there would be absolutely ample capacity and there would be a reduction on journey times of about 5 minutes from Stirling-Edinburgh anyway. The new service doesn’t really bring anything other than more congestion, loss of direct links to cut a few more minutes from Stirling. But you’re probably right in that that’s what TS want and they have told ScotRail to do it for the publicity of the 10 minute reduction in journey times from Stirling.

If the Almond Chord doesn’t happen it will be an absolute tragedy because at the moment only the bare minimum has been done, and new problems have been created.

 

[davp]

Once it's all settled in everyone has more reliable trains and in time they might tweak the timetable too. The new service will bring a lot more capacity to the network which is desperately needed. New trains which accelerate quicker, cleaner and greener, and hopefully don't break down quite so often - I think the new services bring plenty.

Not sure there are particular problems at Newbridge Junction? I can't remember the last time I got held up there, and I travel it every day. I just wish they'd stop timetabling the Dunblane in front of the Bathgate in the evening. Seems to take forever at Edinburgh Park ex EDB in the evening peak - it's often standing leaving Haymarket, so that's probably why it gets held up at Edinburgh Park. Tbh I'd be more worried about capacity through the Haymarket tunnels.

Linlithgow 19000 pop and 4 tph to Edinburgh and Glasgow - not bad. Cumbernauld 52000 pop, and 2 tph to Edinburgh from Croy - not so good. Dunblane has a population of 9000 and 2 tph to Edinburgh (and 1-2tph to Glasgow). Folks from Dunblane are unhappy that they used to have 3tph to Edinburgh during the morning peak and they will need to be up 10 minutes earlier. Fair enough, but I still reckon it has a very good service.

As for journeys between Linlithgow and Stirling. TS and Scotrail will know the numbers but my guess is that the flow isn't that large. It's 12 minutes longer with a change at Falkirk and a project this big is bound to have some people losing out a little. As someone who has travelled for the Bathgate line for years, I can promise you it's much better once everything is electric even if the headline journey times don't look that different.

 

[170401]

Cumbernauld is a low demand station. If you know anything about Cumbernauld, you know that it's in a terrible area of the town so most commuters use Croy. Cumbernauld does not need demand Edinburgh services, you can't just say "wait and see" as justification for Linlithgow, Polmont, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane getting either reduced overall (or peak time) services. It's simply unacceptable, and the bizarre endless defenders of this timetable seem to be ignoring every downside to it.

Cumbernauld is a very big place, nobody has denied that. Population is not always a factor when deciding on services. All of the residential areas such as Balloch, Condorrat, Village etc are much closer to Croy. The other big residential area, Abronhill, is served by a fantastic bus service. There’s a reason Cumbernauld station has low numbers, because it’s near absolutely nothing!

You need to actually know stuff about the area before making judgement on these things. People use Croy because it’s in a better area, not because it has a better service.

.

There are good reasons why Cumbernauld stations passenger numbers are low but its not, as you say, because it’s near absolutely nothing. As a matter of point its within about a mile of the towns centre and within walking distance of the populous areas of Carbrain, Seafar, Kildrum and Abronhill, themselves with a larger combined population than Polmont and Linlithgow together. All of these areas are about as convenient to Croy as Bathgate is to Linlithgow.

If you actually knew stuff about the area before making judgement on these things you would know that the area to the South of Cumbernauld station is in line for a huge residential development bounded by Lenziemill, Luggiebank, Palacerigg and Abronhill, as well as within Abronhill itself. The improved rail service is also being implemented to pre-empt this development which is expected to capture some Edinburgh commuter market.


Cumbernaulds fortunes have been somewhat tempered in the last 2 decades by the success of the M80 and the improved service at Croy (12 minutes to Glasgow is regularly quoted locally as the main reason for using it). Up until the mid 90s it had extremely heavy commuter traffic on the Glasgow corridor. This ceased almost overnight in 1997 when Firstbus and Stagecoach entered into a bus war with cut price express bus travel through its catchment area. This traffic had slowly been trickling back to the railway up until the recent temporary changes because, predictably, only one operator runs the express bus network now and the service quality has slipped and the price increased substantially. I'd expect in the next few years Cumbernauld/Greenfaulds and indeed Stepps and Gartcosh' fortunes will be increased dramatically with this new timetable.

 

[Stopper]

Abronhill is the only big residential area relatively near to Cumbernauld station, which is in fact, near absolutely nothing, a claim repeated by residents of Cumbernauld and many on here. Abronhill has a fantastic (4tph I believe) double decker bus services to Glasgow which drives many away from the train, it would probably do better with a train station of its own.

Once it's all settled in everyone has more reliable trains and in time they might tweak the timetable too. The new service will bring a lot more capacity to the network which is desperately needed. New trains which accelerate quicker, cleaner and greener, and hopefully don't break down quite so often - I think the new services bring plenty.

Not sure there are particular problems at Newbridge Junction? I can't remember the last time I got held up there, and I travel it every day. I just wish they'd stop timetabling the Dunblane in front of the Bathgate in the evening. Seems to take forever at Edinburgh Park ex EDB in the evening peak - it's often standing leaving Haymarket, so that's probably why it gets held up at Edinburgh Park. Tbh I'd be more worried about capacity through the Haymarket tunnels.

Linlithgow 19000 pop and 4 tph to Edinburgh and Glasgow - not bad. Cumbernauld 52000 pop, and 2 tph to Edinburgh from Croy - not so good. Dunblane has a population of 9000 and 2 tph to Edinburgh (and 1-2tph to Glasgow). Folks from Dunblane are unhappy that they used to have 3tph to Edinburgh during the morning peak and they will need to be up 10 minutes earlier. Fair enough, but I still reckon it has a very good service.

As for journeys between Linlithgow and Stirling. TS and Scotrail will know the numbers but my guess is that the flow isn't that large. It's 12 minutes longer with a change at Falkirk and a project this big is bound to have some people losing out a little. As someone who has travelled for the Bathgate line for years, I can promise you it's much better once everything is electric even if the headline journey times don't look that different.

Saying Linlithgow will have 4tph to Glasgow is misleading, it effectively has 2. It’s like saying Cumbernauld has 3tph to Glasgow. Also, 4tph to Edinburgh from Linlithgow has proven for years to be insufficient, and this still won’t be improved which is disappointing. Many people have quoted population stats at me, which in truth means very little when it comes to commuter stations.

I don’t commute from Bathgate so those trains might get the better end of the stick when it comes to Newbridge Junction but I can assure you Dunblane services are held there almost every day (usually for late running Bathgate services). I don’t know about Dunblane itself, but I can understand why some of them are annoyed about the new service. I certainly cannot see in any way what putting an extra 2tph through Newbridge and into Edinburgh will do for reliability. And again I do not see why 6-car all-stops Dunblane-Edinburgh services could not have been run to solve the supposed ‘capacity problem’ on Dunblane services.

As I’ve said many times, it will be what it’ll be and we’ll just have to put up with it but I’ll be in the car along with many others in December, which saddens me as a long time rail commuter.

 

[Mingulay]

putting up is the term we know too well . After Friday shambles to Edinburgh Monday dawns with Dunblane train rammed full by Larbert and held before polmont in a very cramped condition no passengers able to board at polmont and Linlithgow , angry faces there. Little info but train stuck at Falkirk high was mentioned. Running 15 mins late. Perhaps sofenting us up so new timetable feels like an improvement !

 

[170401]

Abronhill is the only big residential area relatively near to Cumbernauld station, which is in fact, near absolutely nothing, a claim repeated by residents of Cumbernauld and many on here. Abronhill has a fantastic (4tph I believe) double decker bus services to Glasgow which drives many away from the train, it would probably do better with a train station of its own.

What a bizarre thing to say. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'it's near absolutely nothing'? Cumbernauld station literally has thousands of residential dwellings within a ten minute walk of it, many hundreds of which you can actually see from the station itself. You make it sound like Breich or a far North backwater!

You're also confusing the claims made by the people of Cumbernauld. When they say 'it's near absolutely nothing', what they are referring to is a lack of entertainment venues such as a cinema. The complaint is irrelevant when it comes to the transport requirements of the 25-30,000 people living in the catchment area.