COUNCILLORS are calling on the Scottish Government to back a new train station at Plains.
North Lanarkshire Council has supported a motion by Airdrie North Conservative Councillor David Cullen demanding the SNP carries out a feasibility study. The move follows questions from Tory MSP Graham Simpson to Humza Yousaf in which the Transport Minister pinned the blame for lack of progress on the council.
Cllr Cullen’s motion to the full council last week read:
"North Lanarkshire Council unequivocally supports the provision of a train station at Plains, on the Airdrie to Bathgate line. Furthermore, the Council calls on the Scottish Government to undertake a feasibility study for such provision and provide clear guidance to the people of the village of Plains on their plans for such a provision in terms of cost and timescale.”
The motion was supported by Conservative, Labour and Independent Councillors.
Cllr Cullen said afterwards: “Since the planning and opening of the new Airdrie to Bathgate line, the issue of a station at Plains has been hotly debated. The original concept was that between Airdrie and Bathgate, one station would be provided in both North Lanarkshire and West Lothian. This was turned on its head, when, following a campaign by local residents an additional station costing £5) was provided at Blackridge. There was no such reciprocation in North Lanarkshire.
"This effectively leaves Plains as the only remaining unconnected community without a station on the line and that is why I have tabled this motion. The Scottish Government has continually played political ping-pong with this issue and sought to lay the blame for this issue at the door of NLC. Let’s be clear this is a strategic transport issue and is solely the responsibility of the Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.”
Mr Simpson said: “The SNP Government is always going on about how it is committed to helping areas like Plains. Creating a station that links the village to Glasgow and Edinburgh opens up a whole host of opportunities for the community.
“Everyone should have easy access to the rail network. Cllr Cullen and I are calling on the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to finally agree on an action plan to build a station at Plains which is long overdue.”
An independent Strategic Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) last year assessed the possibility of either providing a station or improved bus services for the village. The STAG report rejected the railway station option.
North Lanarkshire Council voted down the plans and proposed improving the bus service in the area.
Graham Simpson’s question to Humza Yousaf.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-12806 by Humza Yousaf on 19 December 2017, whether it plans to provide a train station in Plains, North Lanarkshire.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (26/04/2018):
As promoters of the scheme for a new rail station for Plains, North Lanarkshire Council instructed consultants SWECO to undertake an appraisal in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). North Lanarkshire Council recommendation was to take forward more detailed work on options for a Bus Statutory Quality Partnership and not to progress a railway option.
We understand that North Lanarkshire Council met Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, during the week 23 April, to discuss progression of the Bus recommendation.