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Rail link cost rise 'inaccurate' Rail link cost rise 'inaccurate'
(about 1 hour later)
The leader of Glasgow City Council has accused ministers of providing misleading information about the cost of the city's airport rail link.The leader of Glasgow City Council has accused ministers of providing misleading information about the cost of the city's airport rail link.
Steven Purcell expressed concerns to MSPs over double-accounting on the project, which the government scrapped.Steven Purcell expressed concerns to MSPs over double-accounting on the project, which the government scrapped.
Ministers announced the link would go amid concern over rising costs and impending Scottish budget cuts.Ministers announced the link would go amid concern over rising costs and impending Scottish budget cuts.
Mr Purcell claimed the project costs had gone up by £2.5m - not the £70m he said he was quoted by the government. Mr Purcell said the project costs had gone up by £2.5m - not the £70m he said he was quoted by the government.
Despite the claims, ministers insisted the rising costs had rendered the project unaffordable.
Relations between Scotland's largest local authority and ministers have deteriorated since the Scottish government axed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.Relations between Scotland's largest local authority and ministers have deteriorated since the Scottish government axed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
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.
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 CouncilThere'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
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. 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.
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 about £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.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."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"."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 Link 'unaffordable'
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 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.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.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.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.
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the Scottish government was "very clear" the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was unaffordable - and challenged Mr Purcell to bring forward plans on how it would be paid for.
"The bottom line is that the cost of the project had increased and our capital budget had been cut by Westminster," said the spokesman.
"In these circumstances, something had to give and, in terms of delivering a capital budget that was affordable and sustainable over time, a decision was taken to cancel the Glasgow Airport Rail Link."