Edinburgh Airport Link
I was disappointed to see that the SNP and the Tories were suggesting that the Edinburgh Airport rail Link (EARL) should be scrapped.
There is nothing wrong in asking questions about a project like this but we have to make sure we get value for money. But they are simply wanting to do Edinburgh down. They don’t want to see Edinburgh Labour continuing to make a success of our city.
This is a project that, at the last consultation, had 83% support from the public. It’s a massive task but will open up Scotland to many people much more quickly. For example, times to Edinburgh will be reduced to 10 minutes and Glasgow to 40 minutes.
The costs have been very carefully looked at and take account of possible changes. They are not based, as was alleged, on premium fares but on around £3.75 for the trip into Edinburgh.
The rolling stock will be able to cope with the gradients despite what was suggested by some opponents. Building the tunnel will be tough but it’s not like we’ve never dug a tunnel in this country before. We‘ve got some of the best engineers in the world.
EARL will create jobs, it will increase access, and it will offer more public transport choices and reduce car use. For example, it will provide direct rail access to the airport for 64% of the Scottish population. Perhaps that’s what the SNP fears
Fore me this debate isn’t just about numbers. It’s about an attitude of mind. What other Capital city does not have a rail-link from its Airport to its city centre and beyond. Why do we see those who claim to be standing up for Scotland run away from the big task of improving its Capital City.
There is nothing wrong in asking questions about a project like this but we have to make sure we get value for money. But they are simply wanting to do Edinburgh down. They don’t want to see Edinburgh Labour continuing to make a success of our city.
This is a project that, at the last consultation, had 83% support from the public. It’s a massive task but will open up Scotland to many people much more quickly. For example, times to Edinburgh will be reduced to 10 minutes and Glasgow to 40 minutes.
The costs have been very carefully looked at and take account of possible changes. They are not based, as was alleged, on premium fares but on around £3.75 for the trip into Edinburgh.
The rolling stock will be able to cope with the gradients despite what was suggested by some opponents. Building the tunnel will be tough but it’s not like we’ve never dug a tunnel in this country before. We‘ve got some of the best engineers in the world.
EARL will create jobs, it will increase access, and it will offer more public transport choices and reduce car use. For example, it will provide direct rail access to the airport for 64% of the Scottish population. Perhaps that’s what the SNP fears
Fore me this debate isn’t just about numbers. It’s about an attitude of mind. What other Capital city does not have a rail-link from its Airport to its city centre and beyond. Why do we see those who claim to be standing up for Scotland run away from the big task of improving its Capital City.
posted by Councillor Ewan Aitken at
12:32 pm
