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MSPs to hear transport concerns Rail link cost rise 'inaccurate'
(about 7 hours later)
Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell is to raise concerns over government transport funding when he appears before MSPs. The leader of Glasgow City Council has accused ministers of providing misleading information about the cost of the city's airport rail link.
Relations between the local authority and ministers have deteriorated since the government axed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, amid funding concerns. Steven Purcell expressed concerns to MSPs over double-accounting on the project, which the government scrapped.
Mr Purcell accused the SNP of being "anti-Glasgow", saying the link was vital for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Ministers announced the link would go amid concern over rising costs and impending Scottish budget cuts.
He is giving evidence to Holyrood's transport committee on the budget plan. Mr Purcell claimed the project costs had gone up by £2.5m - not the £70m he said he was quoted by the government.
The Scottish government said the airport rail link had to go to cope with a £129m cut in the NHS budget, as a result of UK government reductions in heath department capital spending. Relations between Scotland's largest local authority and ministers have deteriorated since the Scottish government axed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
Finance Secretary John Swinney also expressed concerns over the project's rising costs. The comments by Mr Purcell, who has accused the SNP of being "anti-Glasgow", came as he was questioned by Holyrood's transport committee on the government's proposed budget for the year ahead.
However, the Scottish government has said it would guarantee a £2.3m EU loan application to refurbish Dalmarnock train station, in Glasgow's east end, seen as an essential part of the city's preparations for the games. There's either been some serious mismanagement that has to be examined or there is a great deal of double accounting going on within the current budget process Steven PurcellLeader, Glasgow City Council
During a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond last week, Mr Purcell said he was told to "behave like a grown up", further denting relations between Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government. The council leader told the committee that, before the scrapping of the rail link was announced, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson indicated to him its cost had increased since it was last considered by ministers by around £70m.
Mr Purcell said ministers indicated in December 2008 the project's bill would be between £365.5m and £395m, and had now provided figures to the committee saying the price had risen to £397.5m.
"Now that we have had the opportunity to look at the figures that have been provided to the committee by the finance secretary [John Swinney], I am clear that £70m figure is not accurate and is misleading," he said.
"The figure of increase would appear to be £2.5m and not the £70m that was quoted in my telephone conversation with the transport minister".
Loan guaranteed
Mr Purcell went on to say: "There's either been some serious mismanagement that has to be examined or there is a great deal of double accounting going on within the current budget process."
Mr Swinney previously said the airport rail link had to go to help cope with a £129m cut in the NHS budget, as a result of UK government reductions in heath department capital spending.
However, the Scottish government has said it would guarantee a £2.3m EU loan application to refurbish Dalmarnock train station, in Glasgow's east end, seen as an essential part of the city's preparations for hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
During a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond last week, Mr Purcell said he was told to "behave like a grown up", further denting relations between Glasgow City Council and the Scottish government.