New report states a railway station in Grangemouth is a key priority
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Falkirk East MSP Angus MacDonald welcomed a report from Railfuture Scotland about having a Scottish rail network fit for the 21st century which identifies a new rail station in Grangemouth as a key priority.
Railfuture Scotland’s proposals to expand the rail network in Scotland stated a Grangemouth station would be used by an estimated 360,000 people every year.
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Hide AdMr MacDonald said: “I welcome these proposals put forward by Railfuture Scotland – proposals which back up the feeling within the local community. Not only would it benefit the industry in the town, providing wider connectivity through Scotland’s rail network to the rest of Scotland, the UK and beyond, but it would ensure local people have better access to Scotland’s rail network.
“Investment to realise a railway station in Grangemouth would increase the prospects of people within our communities and would help to bring people back into the town increasing footfall and the prosperity of our local businesses.
“A railway station, and further investment in the town, is vital to Grangemouth’s future prosperity, and I would encourage further exploration of these proposals, with a view to reinstating Grangemouth’s railway station sooner rather than later.”
The original Grangemouth Railway Station closed in 1968 supposedly due to declining passenger numbers.
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Hide AdAt a meeting of the Falkirk Council executive on December 10 last year, members talked about plans for a railway station in Bonnybridge and Councillor Allan Nimmo enquired what had happened to similar proposals for Grangemouth.
Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn stated the issue was being looked at as part of the Investment Zone – a bid for £238 million of funding from governments in Westminster and Holyrood.