Barrhead News, Friday May 11th, 1984

‘Last Thursday the people of Neilston and Uplawmoor went to the polls at the district council elections and returned Mr Danny Collins, Labour. The measure of local interest was shown in the high poll, and it also proved there are many shades of political opinion in Neilston and Uplawmoor.
The Neilston line was obviously a major issue and opposition to the region’s decision to with draw the rail subsidy was widely expressed. The successful candidate, Mr D Collins, remarked:
“It is clear that the people of Neilston expect a positive response from the campaign to keep the line open and that they will be looking to the local Labour Party to play their part in ensuring that this is achieved”

We’ll Look After You - Assurance from Rail Boss

SIR – I am writing in connection with numerous letter that I have received from residents of the Uplawmoor and Neilston areas in connection with the rail service between Whitecraigs and Neilston.
Local concern about the future of the service is very much appreciated and as it would be impractical for me to respond separately to all of the representatives that have been made , I would be grateful if you could arrange for this letter to be published in the
‘Barrhead News’.

In December 1983, the regional council completed the most comprehensive examination of rail services in Strathclyde since the establishment of the council in 1975. The forecast withdrawal of financial support from the service between Whitecraigs and Neilston is only one of many recommendations that resulted.
In addition to electrification of services from Glasgow to Ayr and Ardrossan and the comprehensive improvement of rolling stock on other services through out Strathclyde which are already underway, the council has concluded that further major investment in the rail network can be justified to secure a future for the rail network up to the turn of the century and beyond.

Positive proposals affecting your area cover investment in new rolling stock for the long term improvement of the service from Glasgow to Barrhead with improved service frequencies and as a forerunner to this, a half hourly service will be introduced next month with existing rolling stock. The overall investment proposed is very much dependent on important contributions to be made by central government and the EEC to share the capital costs and on the trade unions and the travelling public in improvements and making maximum use of the services.

Nevertheless, a considerable financial burden will remain to be met by the capital and revenue funds. It is important to recognise that the final decision to close the line does not rest with the regional council but in the event that this does happen, the travelling needs of the residents In the Neilston area will be catered for by the improved frequency on the Glasgow – Barrhead – Kilmarnock service which will be accompanied by improved bus connections with Barrhead stations.

The council will not withdraw financial support from the service between Whitecraigs and Neilston until it is satisfied that the conditions attached to the major investment have been met. A year’s notice is required before support is withdrawn and I would stress that prospective closure of the service is not imminent.
If, following withdrawal of the regional council’s financial support, British Rail wish to close service, anyone who objects would have the opportunity of making their views known to the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee. The Consultative Committee would then make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport who decide on all proposals to close passenger rail services.

The council is always anxious to ensure that satisfactory bus services are provided to cater for passengers displaced from any rail service which are closed. To this end, all associated bus services revisions will be subject to the approval of the High ways and Transportation Committee and there will be extensive public consultation prior to bus service revisions of this nature being considered. In particular, care will be taken to ensure satisfactory connections from Uplawmoor and Neilston to Barrhead and that the needs of school children are met.

As an example of this detailed consideration given to such matters, I would refer your readers to …………….

Strathclyde Regional Inspector, Malcolm Waugh