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New row over Games transport link | New row over Games transport link |
(15 minutes later) | |
A new row has broken out over the Scottish government's commitment to transport projects linked to Glasgow's hosting of the Commonwealth Games. | A new row has broken out over the Scottish government's commitment to transport projects linked to Glasgow's hosting of the Commonwealth Games. |
Council leader Steven Purcell said the SNP had refused to say if it would guarantee a £2.3m EU loan for the refurbishment of Dalmarnock station. | Council leader Steven Purcell said the SNP had refused to say if it would guarantee a £2.3m EU loan for the refurbishment of Dalmarnock station. |
He also complained that first minister Alex Salmond refused to discuss the scrapping of the airport rail link. | |
Mr Salmond said he hoped talks on the Dalmarnock project could "go forward". | Mr Salmond said he hoped talks on the Dalmarnock project could "go forward". |
A 38.5 hectare site in Dalmarnock, in the city's east end, will be the site of the athletes' village for the 2014 games. | A 38.5 hectare site in Dalmarnock, in the city's east end, will be the site of the athletes' village for the 2014 games. |
I was told to grow up. Behave like a grown up were the exact words Steven PurcellGlasgow City Council leader | I was told to grow up. Behave like a grown up were the exact words Steven PurcellGlasgow City Council leader |
Mr Purcell said the station's refurbishment was an essential part of the city's preparations. | Mr Purcell said the station's refurbishment was an essential part of the city's preparations. |
He told BBC Scotland: "The Commonwealth Games Federation consider this a must happen project. It will be the gateway to the games. | He told BBC Scotland: "The Commonwealth Games Federation consider this a must happen project. It will be the gateway to the games. |
"Currently it is a very run down, dilapidated, badly-lit station. It has issues of vandalism and crime. We need to make a significant investment to refurbish it." | "Currently it is a very run down, dilapidated, badly-lit station. It has issues of vandalism and crime. We need to make a significant investment to refurbish it." |
'No guarantee' | 'No guarantee' |
Mr Purcell said the only thing standing in the way of the refurbishment was the Scottish government's "signing of a piece of paper to the European Union". | Mr Purcell said the only thing standing in the way of the refurbishment was the Scottish government's "signing of a piece of paper to the European Union". |
Speaking after a meeting with Alex Salmond in Edinburgh, he said: "There's only one issue holding that refurbishment back and that is the Scottish government underwriting the European Union funding application - standard practice in many European funding issues. | Speaking after a meeting with Alex Salmond in Edinburgh, he said: "There's only one issue holding that refurbishment back and that is the Scottish government underwriting the European Union funding application - standard practice in many European funding issues. |
The decision to scrap the rail link has been criticised by Labour | The decision to scrap the rail link has been criticised by Labour |
"They have been reluctant to do so, so far. I sought that guarantee tonight and it failed to materialise." | "They have been reluctant to do so, so far. I sought that guarantee tonight and it failed to materialise." |
Mr Purcell said the first minister had also refused to discuss the scrapping of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, announced last week by Finance Secretary John Swinney. | Mr Purcell said the first minister had also refused to discuss the scrapping of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, announced last week by Finance Secretary John Swinney. |
"I was told to grow up. Behave like a grown up were the exact words," he said. | "I was told to grow up. Behave like a grown up were the exact words," he said. |
Mr Salmond said the Labour council leader had not asked for the rail link to be reinstated and described the discussion at Holyrood as "useful". | Mr Salmond said the Labour council leader had not asked for the rail link to be reinstated and described the discussion at Holyrood as "useful". |
He insisted the rail link was not essential to the running of the 2014 Games. | He insisted the rail link was not essential to the running of the 2014 Games. |
He said: "I explained, as Mr Swinney did, that in the circumstances of capital cuts, you have to make tough decisions. | He said: "I explained, as Mr Swinney did, that in the circumstances of capital cuts, you have to make tough decisions. |
"We have a disagreement about GARL but hopefully we can put that to one side and get on with delivering the games - and in particular looking at the enhanced projects for the whole of Glasgow." | "We have a disagreement about GARL but hopefully we can put that to one side and get on with delivering the games - and in particular looking at the enhanced projects for the whole of Glasgow." |
He cited "huge" capital spending already earmarked for Glasgow. | He cited "huge" capital spending already earmarked for Glasgow. |
"I certainly hope we can go forward with substantial discussions on Dalmarnock and the Fastlink (bus project) ideas," he said. | "I certainly hope we can go forward with substantial discussions on Dalmarnock and the Fastlink (bus project) ideas," he said. |
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