Government said to be 'dragging its heel' on progressing Dalcross station

David Stewart, Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands has slammed the Scottish Government for dragging its heel on transport infrastructure projects in the north of Scotland, including the long overdue completion of Dalcross railway station which will serve Inverness airport.

Last month Network Rail submitted plans to Highland Council for a double-platform station at Dalcross to provide better connectivity for the regions busiest airport.

The Courier covered the story in October of last year, saying the station could be open by late 2022.

Mr Stewart, a long-time campaigner for the airport rail link has pointed to his previous calls for the Scottish Government to prioritise the development of the site back to 2014.

Mr Stewart said: “Whilst I am pleased to see progress at last from Network Rail and partners, the Scottish Government have been dragging their heels for nearly a decade now in delivering Dalcross rail station, an absolutely vital part of delivering better and more integrated transport connectivity in the Highlands.

“Inverness is the regions busiest airport and stakeholders have been crying out for this rail link for years. The Scottish Government have been promising completion by March 2019 at least, so it’s almost three years overdue now, it’s simply not good enough.

“If the Scottish Government are serious about protecting the Highland economy, delivering much needed transport connectivity, and tackling the climate change emergency they need to get a handle on projects like this and stop making promises they can’t keep.”

Read more about Dalcross Station by clicking here.

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