NEWS RELEASE - Thursday 24th January 2002

Euro 2008 bid: Scotland needs to match Irish commitments on public transport investment

Commenting on the Scottish Executive's support for a joint bid with Ireland for the Euro 2008 football tournament, TRANSform Scotland have called for major upgrading of the Scottish public transport network.

Colin Howden, Campaign Manager of TRANSform Scotland, said: "Supporters from Europe's great footballing nations - Germany, France and Holland - used to high quality public transport systems will be taken aback at the dilapidated nature of much of Scotland's public transport. The Scottish Executive must commit to a major upgrading of the public transport network if it wants its bid to be credible."

"Ireland is far ahead of Scotland in investing in public transport. Just last week, Dublin announced that it was going to spend a staggering Û 7.2 billion on a new underground system for its capital. (1) Investment by the Scottish Executive in new public transport is by comparison a pittance." (2)

TRANSform Scotland is calling for the Scottish Executive to commit to the following minimum investments in public transport to be made:

¥ Parkhead: Has no rail access: needs rail station provided on Queen Street Low Level to Airdrie line in Parkhead Forge area.

¥ Ibrox: Capacity constraints on the train line to Paisley need to be overcome by reinstatement of 4 tracks: this would allow rail halt to be provided close to Ibrox. The current underspend on Glasgow Underground must also be reversed.

¥ Murrayfield: A reinstated South Suburban line would allow rail halt at Murrayfield.

¥ Pittodrie: Line speed enhancements and service quality improvements on Edinburgh-Aberdeen & Glasgow-Aberdeen rail services.

¥ Rail links from England: Completion of planned upgrade of East Coast Main Line.

¥ Airport access. Rail links should be completed at Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport.

¥ Pedestrian improvements in cities. Provide local authorities with resources to ensure walking routes from public transport interchanges are substantially upgraded.

Colin Howden concluded: "If the Scottish Executive is genuine in its claims that Scotland should have a public transport system to rank amongst the best in Europe, then delivering modern tram systems must also be part of the Executive's plans. If Dublin can build an underground system by 2008 then Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen should be allowed to do likewise."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

(1) Irish Independent, 17/01/02: "Capital's first metro to run in five years - starting with airport link" - see http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=672821&issue_id=6724 Dublin plans to have the system in operation by 2007.

(2) The entire spending on new public transport (and for walking & cycling) by the Scottish Executive for the years 2001 to 2004 is £150 million - through the Public Transport Fund. Compared to the plans for Dublin, the only new rail line in construction is the Edinburgh Crossrail scheme - less than one mile of new track.