OBAN’S ‘Polar Express’ rail service has been on the agenda for Argyll and Bute Council’s leader, a report has said.
Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) has joined council transport policy lead Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) in writing to the Scottish Government regarding the service.
Conditions on the West Highland line, which runs from Oban and Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street via parts of Argyll and Bute, came to light in January.
A pensioner was reported to have collapsed after travelling on a train from Oban to Crianlarich in freezing conditions.
Councillor Lynch has also written to ferry operator CalMac in relation to issues which have arisen with the ferry fleet during recent months.
The details feature in a report which will go before the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
Councillor Lynch said: “The Oban to Glasgow rail service is one of a very small number of rail connections located within Argyll and Bute and is a vital link which helps access economic, employment, education and social opportunities for local people as well as contributing to the tourism sector.
“The freezing conditions on the service have long been the subject of complaints and calls for action.
“I joined the policy lead for transport, Councillor John Armour, in writing together to the then cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, expressing our willingness to work constructively through, for example, HITRANS and recognising the pressures on all public funding, but reiterating the urgent need for improvement on this key route.”
Ms Hyslop is not seeking re-election at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Councillor Lynch added: “Issues with the ferry fleet during late March and into April have been well-documented and have inevitably given rise to significant concerns for island communities.
“Given the level of representation received about this, I wrote to CalMac – highlighting in particular the fact that island communities are keen to work proactively on solutions and expressing the hope that these can be carefully considered given the overall impact.”
