For immediate release:

RUTHERGLEN POLITICIANS WRITE TO SCOTTISH WATER REGARDING TRAFFIC DISRUPTION

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey and Rutherglen Central and North Councillor Janine Calikes have written to Scottish Water to express their disappointment with an alleged U-turn by the organisation in funding bus services.

As a result of the Scottish Water works on Aitkenhead Road, Clare Haughey MSP and Cllr Calikes have been contacted by constituents who no longer have easy access to local public transport. The works, which Scottish Water state are “essential”, has forced a number of routes to be altered and passengers are no longer able to get a direct bus from Bankhead to Glasgow city centre.

Cllr Calikes was advised by SPT that they had been in discussions with Scottish Water and First Glasgow as far back as June 2016 to discuss the closure of the road as well as to look at potential diversion routes. According to information disclosed to Cllr Calikes, Scottish Water agreed in principle to provide £100,000 to support two new connecting services that SPT and First Glasgow were to introduce for the duration of the works. However, Scottish Water subsequently appear to have reneged on this agreement.

Ms Haughey and Cllr Calikes have contacted Scottish Water seeking clarification as to why they pulled out of providing this funding, and asked whether they will take any further steps to mitigate the disruption for those affected.

Commenting, Cllr Janine Calikes said:

“Although these works are essential, they have caused substantial disruption for many of my constituents. Removing the only direct bus from Bankhead to Glasgow City Centre is very inconvenient particularly for those who are elderly, disabled or requiring pushchair access.

“Myself and Clare Haughey have contacted Scottish Water looking for an explanation to why they refused to fund the two connecting services – despite initially agreeing in principle to do so.”

Clare Haughey MSP added:

“If Scottish Water were initially willing to provide the finances for new connecting services, then they too must believe that the works would cause major travel disruption. I fully appreciate that work is essential, however to pull out of an agreement is incredibly disappointing.

“I hope SPT can revisit this issue and take further steps to mitigate the disruption caused to our public transport services.”

ENDS

Notes:

Please find attached the letter from Clare Haughey MSP and Cllr Janine Calikes to Scottish Water.

Date published: 19th February 2018