I wasn't sure how far the four-aspect went. Thanks.ECN2 is already four aspect from Haymarket to Dalmeny and vice versa.
I wasn't sure how far the four-aspect went. Thanks.ECN2 is already four aspect from Haymarket to Dalmeny and vice versa.
Has there ever been any discussion of a station at Kirkliston if the Almond Chord is built? Seems like it'd be a bit of a no brainer, and fairly easy to do.
Council leader Susan Aitken has branded hopes for a tram-train link to Glasgow airport as “dead”, saying the plans fell apart under scrutiny.
A Personal Rapid Transit shuttle pod between Glasgow Airport and Paisley Gilmour Street is now the most likely option, it was revealed in January.
Glasgow Labour leader Frank McAveety said that plan had been described as a “toy town solution” during a full council meeting.
“When it was revealed that the new station for the airport rail link was actually an old station, Paisley Gilmour Street, it was described by the chamber of commerce as a ‘toy town’ solution.
“They’re not the only ones who were critical of the new developments in terms of the airport rail link and to make the case of an integrated rail link. Why are they wrong?”
But Ms Aitken said: “They’re wrong because this is an integrated rail link.
“The new outline business case was agreed at the airport access project executive steering group in January.
“It was agreed across all the partners to develop a revised outline business case, with a focus on systems such as those used across the UK and European airports. Personal Rapid Transit encompass a whole range of different types of transportation, which will link the airport directly into our existing rail system, as is the norm for airport access links.
“That work is being carried out and whatever the final form of the new project and the new link, it will take place within the same timescale as the tram-train project.”
The council leader said that although some people still cling to the tram-train project, it had fallen apart “quickly under the first serious scrutiny it had”.
“There has been I believe, deliberately or otherwise, a mischaracterisation of what the potential new project will be.”
She also hit back at Mr McAveety’s support for the tram-train method.
“I have to say to Councillor McAveety, I have tried to give him a dignified exit out of the support for the tram-train.
“I really, really wish he would take it because that project is now dead and I’m afraid that is rightly so.”
The tram-train link hit problems following a study that said it would impact negatively on other services in the West of Scotland and on Central Station, which is at capacity.
So tear up Fastlink (waste of money to begin with) for a tram that replaces part of the X19 bus and will be slower to the airport than the 500 and slower city to Braehead than the various McGills motorway services? I don’t really see the point unfortunately. Cathcart, however, could be worth a look at some pointIdeally, Glasgow should bring back trams, with a suggested Phase 1 project being a route from Queen Street Station - Central Station - Broomielaw - Clyde Arc Bridge (it would make use of the bus lanes, being as no buses use that bridge) - Pacific Quay - Govan Cross (interchange with Underground) - New Southern General Hospital - Braehead Centre - Renfrew Cross - Airport - Abbotsinch - Paisley Gilmour Street.
I’ve said it before - M8 bus lane from the M74 split to J19. Solves 90% of the perceived problems for < 5% of the cost of these ridiculous/impractical ideas that get trotted out. At least this one seems to have died a fairly rapid death (this time)
I think buses would run on the hard shoulder and where there’s no shoulder they would merge back into traffic. Not a continuous bus lane but better than nothing.
One of the reasons for dismissing the tram-train solution was the lack of paths into Central. Extra trains terminating at St James would have exactly the same problem without the benefit of a through journey to the airport.Personally I still think that the PRT Option from the airport to Paisley St James, though not perfect, would have worked, the link would have been about the same length and take the same transit time as that connecting Gatwick North Terminal with the airport station and that seems to work well, add a turnback siding at Paisley St James and increase the train frequency and you have a decent link.
Agree. Any airport link should provide a step-free link to airport for trains from Ayrshire.A PRT (or m9ore likely a Gatwick-style shuttle) from Gilmour Street offers a better train frequency into Glasgow and also allows access to Ayrshire
So tear up Fastlink (waste of money to begin with) for a tram that replaces part of the X19 bus and will be slower to the airport than the 500 and slower city to Braehead than the various McGills motorway services? I don’t really see the point unfortunately. Cathcart, however, could be worth a look at some point
We used to fly fom Glasgow all the time a few years back ( and I live in the east of Scotland ) but Edinburgh has grabbed the top Airport spot these days. Getting through Glasgow to get to the airport can be a challenge so I can understand why access is a key concern for it to get passengers, other than from Glasgow or Ayrshire.Very few cities have or need an express fixed link to their airport. Glasgow has just the wrong set of circumstances to make it easy to provide a heavy rail link. The idea behind the tram proposal is that it provides a higher-quality link that doesn't live and die by being marginally faster than a bus on the M8. It would provide a more useful way for a larger section of the public to get to and from the airport and other major trip generators like Braehead and the hospital. The more trip generators there are spread along the length of a route, the more worthwhile it is to provide a high-quality service.
I’ve said it before - M8 bus lane from the M74 split to J19. Solves 90% of the perceived problems for < 5% of the cost of these ridiculous/impractical ideas that get trotted out. At least this one seems to have died a fairly rapid death (this time)
A PRT (or more likely a Gatwick-style shuttle) from Gilmour Street offers a better train frequency into Glasgow and also allows access to Ayrshire.
We used to fly fom Glasgow all the time a few years back ( and I live in the east of Scotland ) but Edinburgh has grabbed the top Airport spot these days. Getting through Glasgow to get to the airport can be a challenge so I can understand why access is a key concern for it to get passengers, other than from Glasgow or Ayrshire.
Is there much of a local campaign to get a new station at Kirkliston?The local MSP asked in parliament today about the possibility of a station at Kirkliston; he was informed of the usual consultation process which would have to be followed. I can't see it happening myself, as much as I would like it to.
Is there much of a local campaign to get a new station at Kirkliston?
Kirkliston could possibly be better served by extending the tram to Newbridge and then following the old alignment to Kirkliston, then on to Dalmeny & Queensferry. But putting in a Lothian Bus route that originates in the village into Central Edinburgh would probably suffice.
Public meeting to discuss Alloa to Fife rail link
THE drive to re-open passenger railway lines between Alloa and Dunfermline is set to receive a fresh boost in the coming months.
A public meeting, looking to gauge public support while giving a chance to put forward ideas, is being planned in time to inform applications to the Local Rail Development Fund, due in June.
Work is currently being undertaken by the office of Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, representative for Mid-Scotland and Fife.
The case to open up the lines, which freight trains used to run on to haul coal to Longannet, was recently strengthened by revelations that manufacturing company Talgo is highly likely to erect a train factory at the former power station.
This would create up to 1,000 positions with hopes that Wee County residents could have access to these jobs by clean and affordable means.
The Campaign for Better Transport in February highlighted how locals would benefit from improved access to places like Edinburgh while the move could also support the growth of tourism in the area with an estimated £126-£234million needed to repurpose a 14mile freight line.
Clacks man Chick Hosie, who is working for the MSP to gauge the level of public support, highlighted the many benefits the revamped line could bring.
He said: "It's a great opportunity to link Alloa in with Fife and Edinburgh, bringing in employment opportunities, opportunities for businesses, educational opportunities and greater mobility for people generally."
For the Scottish Greens, whose MSP Ruskell has been campaigning on the issue for around two years, it is also about the environmental impact by taking cars off the road and encouraging people to use mass transport to reduce their own carbon footprint, added Chick.
Plans are to hold a public meeting with stakeholders including Transport Scotland, local representatives, members of the public and more both in Alloa and in Kincardine by early June as applications for the Local Rail Development Fund are due by the end of that month.
This fund enables local communities to appraise and bring forward proposals tackling connectivity issues.
Would be nice but a cost of £126-£234 million seems quite a bit more than I expected..
Does that allow for demolition of the Police Station ,Court Buildings and houses at Touch?Wow, that's a lot more than I would have thought (too). Maybe the price includes "knitting" so that the current Glasgow to Alloa can be extended to Dunfermline.
They would need to double a lot, if not all, of the line as it's single-track most of the way, no?Wow, that's a lot more than I would have thought (too). Maybe the price includes "knitting" so that the current Glasgow to Alloa can be extended to Dunfermline.
They would need to double a lot, if not all, of the line as it's single-track most of the way, no?
It was a backwater made up of pieces connected together.Single all the way, I believe. Was it ever double?