This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Talks to improve transport in West of Scotland
29/01/2003
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Iain Gray met senior West of Scotland politicians last night to hear their views on how transport in the west could be improved.
Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of the West of Scotland Transport Partnership and Councillor Eric Ross, Chair of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority met Iain Gray last night to discuss progress on the proposed rail link to Glasgow Airport; emerging proposals for a light rail system for the Clyde and other improvements currently being worked on.
Iain Gray said:
"I wanted to have the advice of SPTA and WESTRANS as part of the process of deciding what the best option for the Airport link would be. We are about to receive the final report from the consultants for a link which would be built and run by SPT.
"The Clyde Light Rapid Transit would be an important element of the planned regeneration of the Clyde and I was keen to hear how the ideas for that are beginning to take shape.
"The success of these projects and others in the west depends on the skills and powers of SPT working in partnership with the local authorities represented on WESTRANS.
"I was encouraged by what I heard which offers the prospect of good transport systems in the west serving the needs of business and local people alike."
The Rail Links to Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports study is expected to report in February and will identify options for routes to Glasgow Airport from Central and Queen Street Stations.
The Clyde Waterfront Working Group is preparing plans to regenerate the Clyde. The plans include an examination of new transport systems including rail and light rail based on a study led by Glasgow City Council.
SPTA is the statutory transport authority for the councils in the west of Scotland. WESTRANS is the transport partnership of those councils which is working up the joint transport strategy for the area.