Ministers must reconsider North East Crossrail criteria- Bruce

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Dec 2008

Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce has called on Scottish Government ministers to carry out a detailed survey of potential use of improved services that would result from introducing the Crossrail proposals between Inverurie and Stonehaven.

Mr Bruce was reacting to concerns raised at a recent NESTRANS meeting that the current Scotland-wide criteria does not take into account potential increased passenger numbers.

The MP has written to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson and Transport Scotland, to urge them to carry out a door to door survey of the communities that Crossrail would serve.

Commenting, Mr Bruce said:

"It should be clear that the current 'one size fits all' formula is inappropriate in this instance. When Dyce station was re-opened, the increase in passenger numbers far exceeded expectations. Stonehaven's experience, with more services than from Inverurie has been similarly positive.

"The Government should give serious consideration to surveying the potential Crossrail catchment area. In particular, it should be asking people who do not use public transport at present whether they would use, for instance, a half-hourly service, or what would be the effect of opening a local station.

"We should not lose sight of the fact that public transport improvements, including Crossrail, were always planned to compliment the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. Recent improvements in service frequency between Aberdeen, Dyce and Inverurie are, of course, welcome. But such incremental improvements are no substitute for a dedicated commuter railway. We need a step change in investment"

ENDS