2014 Games 'not spoilt' by ditching rail link project

Published on Saturday 19 September 2009 13:38

COMMONWEALTH Games chiefs today said the Scottish Government's decision to scrap the planned rail link to Glasgow Airport would not spoil the event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said it did not consider the link "critical" to a successful games in 2014.

A rail link connecting the airport and city centre was one of the arguments deployed by ministers in their successful pitch to attract the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

But on Thursday the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) project became the biggest casualty of next year's Scottish Government 30 billion budget.

The move will thwart the creation of 1,300 jobs, but the SNP says it will save 170 million over the next three years at a time of growing spending constraints.

Critics accused the SNP of an anti-Glasgow agenda and council leader Steven Purcell described the rail link decision as a "dagger in the heart" of the city.

The CGF today issued a response to a letter from the Scottish Government explaining the decision to axe the GARL.

Mike Hooper, CEO of the CGF, said: "Whilst, at the time of the bid, the GARL formed part of the overall transport solution for the Games the Federation does not consider this as critical to the successful delivery of the Games and accordingly we accept the decision by the Government for the reasons they have stated.

"In doing so it is important to also note the renewed commitment given to us by the Scottish Government in their communication to ensure that the final transport solution will indeed meet the needs of the Games and in this regard we will continue to work with both the Scottish Government and our colleagues at the Organising Committee in Glasgow."

The Government is providing funding for the Fastlink transport project in Glasgow, which will improve bus services linking the city centre, SECC and the new Southern General Hospital.

The SNP said this will ensure better transport links in the city in time for the Commonwealth Games.