Ministers must take action on Crossrail - Bruce

3.37.28pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

Malcolm Bruce continues to campaign for better rail services in Aberdeenshire such as the Aberdeen Cross Rail service

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce has called on Scottish Executive ministers to take action on the proposed Aberdeen Cross Rail service.

Mr Bruce was reacting to the Executive's recent High Level Output Statement, which indicated that the link was not considered a priority.

But the Gordon MP - who recently met with Network Rail to discuss the proposed project - has demanded that the Executive reconsider this decision.

Commenting, Malcolm Bruce said:

"At the time the Western Peripheral Route was planned, it was made clear that new public transport links would be built at the same time, to offer the public an incentive to switch from their cars.

"Executive Ministers have been at pains to emphasise their support for the Western Peripheral. I do not see why they should not be similarly supportive of Crossrail, which was always intended to compliment it.

"My discussions with Network Rail revealed the price tag for a Crossrail link between Inverurie and Aberdeen, including stations at Kintore and Kittybrewster, to be around £60m.

"This is no small amount, but it compares favourably with other transport projects the Executive has chosen to support. The route is perfectly feasible, and Network Rail is keen to build it - but it requires the backing of the Executive to do so.

"I hope the Executive will take this opportunity to boost public transport in the north east."

ENDS