Dundee LibDems hit out at SNP transport cuts and impact on Dundee and Tayside

2.37.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Sep 2007

Dundee LibDems hit out at SNP transport cuts and impact on Dundee and Tayside

Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Sunday 30th September) slammed the SNP Government's abandonment of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) project for its detrimental effect on the Dundee and Tayside economy and transport links to Edinburgh Airport.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Shadow Finance Secretary Tavish Scott MSP, speaking in the Scottish Parliament, said, "The Scottish National Party wants EARL dead. The SNP, backed by its cosy coalition partners the Tories ... (killed) a strategic transport project for Scotland.

"People who are coming from Shetland will access Edinburgh airport more quickly than people from Tayside. Can members believe that? A Gogar rail halt is not a direct airport rail link and is not the right solution. The minister gave the game away when it became clear that he does not know the costs or even where the station will be."

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen MSP said, "All the money saved on cancelling the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link is to be spent on central belt projects. Not a penny extra is to be invested in transport projects in the North East of Scotland or the Highlands.

"The vision for future electrification does not include the Aberdeen to Edinburgh east coast mainline.

"The furthest north the SNP vision reaches is Dunblane, Alloa and Cumbernauld. This is another clear example of central belt bias from the SNP."

Locally, here in Dundee, Liberal Democrat spokesperson Chris Hall said, "EARL is a victim of the SNP's inability to make its sums add up. The SNP is desperately trying to pay for their myriad spending commitments."

Related Link:

Plans for Railways branded "betrayal" - Press & Journal.