Ministerial opening for new rail link

A NEW £300 million rail line linking Glasgow and Edinburgh has been officially opened by Transport Minister Keith Brown.

The Airdrie-Bathgate line was funded by Transport Scotland and built by Network Rail.

Mr Brown said: "The completion of the Airdrie-Bathgate railway link will now open up new economic and educational opportunities for those living along the 14-mile route - the longest new passenger line in Scotland in over a century."

Ron McAulay, director of Network Rail in Scotland, added: "The long-term benefits to the communities the new line serves are considerable, ultimately delivering four additional trains an hour between Glasgow and Edinburgh and allowing West Lothian residents direct access to Glasgow and North Lanarkshire residents direct access to Edinburgh for the first time in over 50 years."