24-06-03

Barrett challenges Darling over Waverley development

John Barrett MP, Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Cross-Border Transport has challenged the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, to ensure that the development of Waverley train station is not prevented through cost cutting exercises by the Strategic Rail Authority.

Speaking during a Liberal Democrat debate in the House of Commons on the current crisis in transport, Mr Barrett called on the Secretary of State to take seriously the recent media reports over the dramatic downscaling of Waverley station.

In a statement, John Barrett MP, whose Edinburgh West constituency neighbours that of Alistair Darling's said:

"The fact question mark hanging over the potential downgrading of the Waverley development is not good for anyone.  The sooner the SRA come up with firm proposals, the better."

Alistair Darling replied to Mr Barrett in the Commons saying "since Waverley is, at least for the time being, in my constituency, I take a keen interest in it."

John Barrett added:

"I find this choice of phrase by Alistair Darling to be quite bizarre, insinuating that if Waverley wasn't in his constituency, he wouldn't care about its redevelopment.

"The Secretary of State has to realise that the development of our capital city's main train station is not only good for Scotland but is for the better of the whole transport network.  Either as Scottish Secretary or as Transport Secretary, he should wake up to these facts.  He must now take all possible steps to ensure we get the quality development of Waverley which Edinburgh and Scotland deserves."
 
ENDS