Blackford rail plan still on track

Dec 30 2008 by John Miller, Strathearn Herald

REOPENING Blackford railway station is still on the table despite being left out of major transport proposals for Scotland, an MSP has been assured.

The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland recently published their long term objectives for rail and road improvement projects across the nation – but the long-fought campaign for a station at Blackford was not listed.

Last week at Holyrood, Roseanna Cunningham, whose Perth constituency covers Blackford, was told by Transport minister Stewart Stevenson that the Cobra campaign and Blackford’s case was still being looked at.

Mr Stevenson said that he was expecting to meet officials soon.

He said: “I have already agreed to meet one of the local councillors, who is part of the campaign to open Blackford railway station again - COBRA. I expect that meeting to take place shortly. Part of our consideration will be whether reopening the station is a matter of local or national benefit, but in any event I am engaged in that interesting proposal.”

Ms Cunningham said: “It was very clear from his reply that the Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, is well aware of this campaign and it is very much ‘on his radar’.

“It is welcome news, after many years of dismissal from previous administrations, that this SNP Government is engaging so positively in the process.”

Regional transport group Tactran, which is looking at projects for parts of central Scotland and Tayside, has highlighted Blackford station among its proposals. Also being considered were moves for a station at Greenloaning.