8 .iENDA ITEM NO. ..... *3~.....-. NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Subject ROADS & TRANSPORTATION SUB COMMITTEE SESTRAN RAIL STRATEGY From: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT Date: 9" August 2000 Ref DITTI03I02ISCW 1. This report informs Committee of the development of a draft strategy in respect of future rail service provision in the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTRAN) area. The approval of Committee is sought to the submission of the comments contained in this report as a response to the SESTRAN strategy. -Detail 2. The nine Councils in the South East Scotland Transport Partnership are working towards agreement on a strategy for the development of passenger rail services in the eastern central belt and the borders area. Some of the proposals relate only to the SESTRAN area but others have implications for North Lanarkshire. These latter are discussed below. 3. Edinburgh Airport Link The development of rail access served by GlasgowEdinburgh trains would open up opportunities for a direct rail connection from Cumbernauld and/or Croy to Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh has direct flights to various other countries in Europe which are not available from Glasgow Airport. Access to Glasgow Airport itself is difficult at times because of congestion on the M8 through Glasgow city centre and the lack of a rail connection to that airport. The rail connection to Edinburgh Airport could therefore be attractive for businesses and residents in the Kilsyth and Cumbernauld area in terms of improving access to/from European destinations. 4. Edinburgh-Shotts-Glasgow Central SESTRAN propose an upgrade of the Shotts line including electrification. This is something which the Council might feel happy to support. Thee is however also a suggestion that the East Coast Main Line (ECML) services currently operated by GNER could be diverted on to this route. One of the key opportunities which we have keen to promote is the fact that Motherwell Station is one of only two stations in the west of Scotland which is served by West Coast Main Line (WCML), ECML and Scotrail services. Diverting ECML services to the Shotts line would mean Motherwell would no longer have this advantage. 5. Airdrie-Bathgate reopening West Lothian have commissioned a study in to the feasibility of reopening the line between Drumgelloch and Bathgate. This proposal would enhance connections east from Airdrie and Coatbridge towards Edinburgh. There is a current proposal for a bus service to fulfil1 this link in 9 the short term. In the longer term, a rail service would provide greater capacity, and a more V permanent route from east to west. 6. EdinburghFalkirk High/Glasgow Oueen Street There is a desire by the City of Edinburgh for the Glasgow Queen StreetEdinburgh services to call at the proposed new Edinburgh Park station. There is, however, a limit to the number of stops which can be served by the current 15 minute frequency services on this line. There would be concern regarding any proposed additional stops east of Falkirk if they were to threaten the viability of the promised half hourly service from Croy to Edinburgh. 7. Fife/Falkirk/Glasgow While there were at one time regular direct train services between Glasgow Queen Street and Fife, these are now confined to special events. Much depends on the location and nature of the proposed loop to serve Edinburgh Airport and the nature of any subsequent changes to rail services from Queen Street. The principle of direct services, however, is one which Committee might wish to support in terms of improving opportunities for travel between North Lanarkshire and Fife. 8. Other Longer Term Plans There is reference to a possible Lanarkshire Parkway station to complement the proposals for parkway stations in the east. The options and implications need to be explored further - including any potential benefits for the residents of Falkirk and West Lothian. 9. An aspect which is not mentioned but which could have bearing on the matter is the limitations of current rail network in North Lanarkshire. Currently it is impossible for trains on the Cumbernauld line to access Falkirk High station. It ought to be technically possible to create a new chord adjacent to the Castlecary viaduct which would allow trains to run directly from Cumbernauld to Falkirk High as well as to Larbert and Falkirk Grahamston. This link would do away with the need for the lower Greenhill junction and the section of track between there and Castlecary and would have benefits in the event of incidents or planned maintenance works on the line through Croy and Lenzie. Sustainability Imulications 10. The proposed enhancement of train services is consistent with considerations of sustainability and with the Council’s developing transport strategy. It would also help the Council to meet its obligations under the Road Traffic Reduction Act. Recommendations 11. Committee is asked to note the comments in this report, and approve them as a response to the draft rail strategy prepared by SESTRAN. David M. Porch DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT 1’‘ August 2000 For further information please contact Stuart Wilson on 01236 616256. I:\SS\CORRES\SWILSOMREPORTlSESTRANRAIL.DOC .