CRAG NEWS RELEASE - Thursday 7th August 2003

'Crossrail 2'

New proposal for reopening Edinburgh rail services

Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG), Edinburgh's rail campaign, have today launched new proposals for reopening the city's South Suburban Railway ("South Sub"), closed to passenger services for over 30 years. CRAG's proposals, 'Crossrail 2', would restore rail services to services to south Edinburgh and provide new commuter services for East Lothian - yet would not put any more stress on Edinburgh's already-pressured rail capacity.

Paul Tetlaw, Chair of CRAG, said:
"Over the past 10 years, there have been a series of consultants' reports - which have as yet failed to achieve anything on the ground. With yet another report almost complete, ScotRail about to be refranchised, and the Edinburgh Crossrail service to Newcraighall now established as part of the rail network, it's an appropriate time for fresh thinking as to how best local passenger rail services can be re-instated on the South Sub in the near future."

The CRAG ÔCrossrail 2Õ proposal is being put forward because it builds on the Park & Ride provision secured at Newcraighall as part of Edinburgh Crossrail ('Crossrail 1Õ), provides a new rail service for south Edinburgh, while building on and improving rail access for East Lothian commuters. The principal advantage of this proposal would be that it would make use of an existing service & not necessitate creation of a new free-standing service.

Paul Tetlaw, Chair of CRAG, concluded:
"Our proposal not only provides a link with the already established Crossrail service and its Park & Ride facility at Newcraighall but also dovetails neatly with the aspiration of East Lothian Council to secure a local service throughout the day to Dunbar. Thus, the service proposed here would see trains running half-hourly between Newcraighall and Drem with alternate trains then running to/from North Berwick and Dunbar. This proposal is a win-win scenario for both Edinburgh residents and East Lothian commuters - more bangs for the Scottish Executive's bucks and in a robust operational manner."