FASTLINK OFFERS BETTER TRANSPORT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE OF GLASGOW

FASTLINK OFFERS BETTER TRANSPORT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE OF GLASGOW

SPIRALLING COSTS AND BUDGET CUTS END GARL - "LAST THING GLASGOW NEEDS IS EDINBURGH TRAMS FIASCO"

The Scottish Government's announcement that it will offer financial support to Glasgow Fastlink to connect the city centre, with the Clyde, the new Southern General and the Commonwealth Games has been welcomed by SNP MSP Sandra White.

Ms White has been consulting constituents and partner organisations in Glasgow on the city's transport problems and possible solutions.

Ms White said:

"Having met with BAA last week it is clear to me that costs at the airport were increasing dramatically, and GARL is no longer sustainable given Westminster's cuts in Scotland's capital budget.

"With one piece of the infrastructure cost going from £8 million to £70 million and the overall cost of the project more than doubling the viability of GARL has unfortunately been called into question. The very last thing Glasgow needs is an Edinburgh trams fiasco.

"Investing in Fastlink will fill in the missing links within Glasgow that leave many areas of the city without effective public transport and the city centre gridlocked. In connecting up the city, this will be to the benefit of the people of the city.

"Fastlink delivers for the waterfront, the new Southern General and the Commonwealth Games.

"The SNP Government has committed £2.7 billion to transport projects in and around Glasgow with more to come for FastLink which will bring real benefits to the city.

"Reductions in the Scottish Government's capital budget and rising costs for the GARL are simply not compatible and difficult decisions have to be taken, and priorities made.

"As we have seen with the Edinburgh trams, you cannot sit back and allow costs on transport projects to spiral out of control - particularly at a time when public spending is under serious pressure. Fastlink along with the rail improvements taking place around Glasgow, including to the airport offer a far more cost effective solution to Glasgow's transport needs."