Press Release
20th November 2001
Boyack Battles for Gourock
Transport Minister, Sarah Boyack,
vowed to fight for the future of the joint project to redevelop
the Gourock waterfront. The collapse of Railtrack had threatened
the development, which is a partnership project between the
Scottish Executive, Inverclyde Council, the private sector and
Railtrack.
Under questioning from MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, she told the Scottish Parliament that she would be meeting the administrators of Railtrack presently to press the case for key rail projects in Scotland. On the Gourock project specifically, she revealed:
"We are raising the case with all the key people. Crucially, I have met Richard Bowker from the Strategic Rail Authority and [Westminster Minister for Transport] John Spellar, and I intend to press the case further. … We need to ensure that projects such as the redevelopment of Gourock waterfront go ahead."
Speaking to the Telegraph Mr McNeil said:
"The redevelopment of Gourock is key to the ongoing regeneration of Inverclyde as a whole. The failings of Railtrack's management should not be allowed to rob the people of Gourock of this golden economic opportunity."
He continued:
"As the Minister recognised, the situation is complicated by time constraints. For the situation to go ahead, Railtrack must agree to move Gourock station, which - as anyone who has used it recently will tell you - is in a dire need of repair.
"Money from the Station Regeneration Budget to carry out these works and refurbish the station is currently on the table. But this cash is time limited and there is no way Railtrack will move a station they have just spent money repairing.
"It's a simple choice. One or the other. And, in my view, agreeing now to move the station into a purpose-built integrated transport hub would be the far-sighted smart step to take.
"I am glad that the Minister agrees
and is taking action. She is making our case to all the key
players and I sincerely hope she can convince them to take the
right decision."
ENDS
Notes
The relevant extract from the Official Report of the Scottish Parliament reads:
Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact Railtrack plc going into administration will have on planned joint capital projects with public and private sector organisations. (S1O-4086)
The Minister for Transport and Planning (Sarah Boyack): Before going into administration, Railtrack indicated that many projects throughout the UK would be put on hold, because of its concerns about availability of key resources, notably signalling. At present, Railtrack plc is being run by the administrators that were appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. I will meet the administrators presently to press the case for key rail projects in Scotland.
Mr McNeil: The Minister will be aware of the delays facing the joint project to redevelop the Gourock waterfront.
What assistance is the Minister able to offer to ensure that Railtrack quickly prioritise sufficient technical resources for this project and that time limits on the Station Regeneration Budget do not become further obstacles to realising the huge economic benefit this offers to the community of Inverclyde?
Sarah Boyack: I assure the member that we are raising the case with all the key people. Crucially, I have met Richard Bowker from the Strategic Rail Authority and John Spellar, and I intend to press the case further. I am aware that Gourock is a particular problem because there are time constraints to consider. We need to ensure that projects such as the redevelopment of Gourock waterfront go ahead.
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