Chamber
Plenary, 14 Mar 2007
14 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill: Final Stage
We considered the matter closely and we do not envisage that there will be anything other than a very minimal impact in relation to the Glasgow airport rail link. I am sure that Pauline McNeill was hinting at that. It is important to note that Glasgow and Edinburgh airports serve different markets and have different routes. In many cases, they complement each other rather than being in competition. I hope that the assurances in respect of both the aviation market and the rail industry are understood. They were clearly laid out in the evidence to the committee.
The Edinburgh airport rail link will remove 1.7 million car trips from the roads, which will help to tackle the environmental and economic impacts of congestion. Scottish businesses that compete in global markets, such as those in tourism, financial services, biosciences and life sciences will find that there is easier access into and out of Scotland. EARL will make Scotland a more attractive place to visit and do business.
To oppose, prevaricate or dither is not an option. The Government will not do that. We will act and deliver. The project's importance has been recognised by many, but I will quote just three. The chief executive of the Inverness chamber of commerce said that he sees
"benefit coming to the North of Scotland from the EARL project. EARL should improve the competitiveness of businesses in the North".
BAA's Edinburgh airport manager said:
"It is an exciting and ambitious project and we look forward to continuing our work with TIE and Transport Scotland to help take the plans forward."
David Parker, the independent leader of Scottish Borders Council, said that the Borders rail link
"will connect us with the rest of Scotland and Edinburgh's international airport".
The number of passengers who use Edinburgh airport is predicted to grow from 8 million in 2004 to 23 million or more by 2030. That estimate might be optimistic, but the airport will undoubtedly grow, so we need a genuine public transport alternative to the car. This rail link is the only rail option for the airport that represents value for money and meets our transport objectives of promoting economic growth and social inclusion and creating sustainable transport alternatives. The other options that were evaluated did not have the same benefits as the current proposal. They increased the journey times, fewer people would have used those options, and leaving the car at home or in the office car park would have been less attractive.
As the committee's convener rightly said, the EARL project will create an important transport interchange at the airport, and people will be able to transfer between air, rail, tram and bus for their onward journeys. The easier it is to move between different forms of transport, the more that will happen. It will also mean quicker journey times between Fife and Glasgow, as it will avoid the need to change at Haymarket.
The rolling stock—in which members have shown an interest—is available to meet our requirements. Companies that make trains have the production capacity to meet our needs. The rolling stock programme—which is not about just this project, but spans the whole rail network—will meet the internal cabin layout needs of the new trains that will serve the airport. That is a point that the committee focused on extensively. The new trains will have luggage space, will be easier to access and will deliver on the timetable aspirations to which Pauline McNeill referred.
The Edinburgh airport rail link will remove 1.7 million car trips from the roads, which will help to tackle the environmental and economic impacts of congestion. Scottish businesses that compete in global markets, such as those in tourism, financial services, biosciences and life sciences will find that there is easier access into and out of Scotland. EARL will make Scotland a more attractive place to visit and do business.
To oppose, prevaricate or dither is not an option. The Government will not do that. We will act and deliver. The project's importance has been recognised by many, but I will quote just three. The chief executive of the Inverness chamber of commerce said that he sees
"benefit coming to the North of Scotland from the EARL project. EARL should improve the competitiveness of businesses in the North".
BAA's Edinburgh airport manager said:
"It is an exciting and ambitious project and we look forward to continuing our work with TIE and Transport Scotland to help take the plans forward."
David Parker, the independent leader of Scottish Borders Council, said that the Borders rail link
"will connect us with the rest of Scotland and Edinburgh's international airport".
The number of passengers who use Edinburgh airport is predicted to grow from 8 million in 2004 to 23 million or more by 2030. That estimate might be optimistic, but the airport will undoubtedly grow, so we need a genuine public transport alternative to the car. This rail link is the only rail option for the airport that represents value for money and meets our transport objectives of promoting economic growth and social inclusion and creating sustainable transport alternatives. The other options that were evaluated did not have the same benefits as the current proposal. They increased the journey times, fewer people would have used those options, and leaving the car at home or in the office car park would have been less attractive.
As the committee's convener rightly said, the EARL project will create an important transport interchange at the airport, and people will be able to transfer between air, rail, tram and bus for their onward journeys. The easier it is to move between different forms of transport, the more that will happen. It will also mean quicker journey times between Fife and Glasgow, as it will avoid the need to change at Haymarket.
The rolling stock—in which members have shown an interest—is available to meet our requirements. Companies that make trains have the production capacity to meet our needs. The rolling stock programme—which is not about just this project, but spans the whole rail network—will meet the internal cabin layout needs of the new trains that will serve the airport. That is a point that the committee focused on extensively. The new trains will have luggage space, will be easier to access and will deliver on the timetable aspirations to which Pauline McNeill referred.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5685, in the name of Scott Barrie, that the Parliament agrees that the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill b...
Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab):
Lab
The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill was introduced on 16 March 2006. It seeks powers to provide the promoter, Transport Initiatives Edinburgh Ltd, with stat...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
The member says that the bill will do a lot more than just provide for the building of a rail link to the airport, but has the committee fully considered the...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
The committee examined fully the effect that the proposal might have on services in the central belt and further afield. We put Pauline McNeill's point to Ne...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
In the evidence that he gave on behalf of Network Rail, Ron McAulay said that, if the EARL project is constructed,"that will have an adverse impact and … we ...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
I think that I addressed that point, in part, in the response that I gave to Pauline McNeill. Although some journeys that are diverted via the airport may ta...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
Some concerns remain. The committee has said that there should be a code of construction practice and local construction codes. Will the member give us more ...
Scott Barrie:
Lab
The committee was satisfied by the fact that the requirement for a code of construction practice is incorporated in the bill. We will thus be able to ensure ...
The Minister for Transport (Tavish Scott):
LD
I thank the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee and its convener, Scott Barrie, for their work on the bill. I pay tribute to the committee clerks, the...
Pauline McNeill:
Lab
I put to the minister the same point that I put to Scott Barrie. Before I vote on the bill this evening, I would like an assurance from the minister that he,...
Tavish Scott:
LD
We considered the matter closely and we do not envisage that there will be anything other than a very minimal impact in relation to the Glasgow airport rail ...
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP):
SNP
As the minister is now expressing confidence about the capacity of the industry to deliver the new rolling stock, can he tell us precisely what the additiona...
Tavish Scott:
LD
I cannot give Mr Adam that answer today, as we have only just entered the rolling stock procurement programme—as I have said repeatedly in written answers to...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
I will set out the SNP's position on EARL—I hope not in an insipid way. We offer a clear alternative to what all the other parties offer on the issue. We do ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
He is making it up.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
It is the SNP's view—despite the minister's habitual running commentary, which we enjoy during these debates—that the money can be better spent on other proj...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Will the member give way?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
In a moment.At present, our rail network is running at or near capacity. The SNP's view is that we must invest to increase that capacity. Otherwise, we will ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Does Mr Ewing believe that Network Rail is wrong to have made the Edinburgh airport rail link part of its route utilisation strategy?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
We do not believe that EARL is a pivotal part of Network Rail's route utilisation strategy. A more important part of the strategy is to reduce journey times ...
Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I will finish this point, if I may.We need to effect major improvements to our road network throughout Scotland. Plainly, it is not possible to make all impr...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Yes you have.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
The minister says, "Yes you have," but the record will show that we have clearly stated that the SNP recognises that long-term objectives must include, for e...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Does the member accept that if Scotland's capital is a great deal less competitive in communications than other European capitals, that will be to Scotland's...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I accept that point in principle. Indeed, the SNP has developed policies to tackle that very problem. For example, we will provide substantial opportunities ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
I am very glad about that.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Does the SNP support EARL? The answer is: no, no and no. Instead, we will invest the money for the good of the whole of Scotland.
David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con):
Con
In the preliminary stage debate on the bill, I said that inadequate information on the project's funding and on alternative and more cost-effective methods o...
Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD):
LD
Does the member accept that the major benefit of the rail link is that it will serve people who travel from elsewhere in Scotland, whereas the proposed traml...