Shovel trouble

The Scottish Government’s mantra calling for implementation of “shovel-ready” projects to solve the nation’s ills rings hollow, given its actions on rail infrastructure in Glasgow.

Not only did it cancel the original publicly funded Garl project, but it has also rejected the offer to consider a privately-funded NEWgarl proposal which would have given Glasgow an airport rail link without recourse to the public purse.

Additionally, it has removed the construction of the Garngad Chord, a key link in its billion pound Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme, resulting in proposed – farcical – reversal manoeuvres at Springburn and longer journey times.

The third project which could be rapidly implemented is the electrification/upgrading of the Crossrail link, providing through services throughout central Scotland and beyond. This could be implemented at a fraction of the cost of a similar project under way in Manchester where, unlike Glasgow, no rail line existed.

Now that the “stepping stones” in the Glasgow Council elections have proved to be too slippery and a council that supports rail development for the city is back in charge, it is hoped progress can be made to have these “shovel-ready” rail projects implemented for Glasgow’s travelling public.

Ian Richard

Kilmaurs

Ayrshire