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| Glasgow 2014: Cost of Games ceremonies rises by 49% | Glasgow 2014: Cost of Games ceremonies rises by 49% |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The cost of the opening and closing ceremonies at this year's Commonwealth Games has risen by almost half. | The cost of the opening and closing ceremonies at this year's Commonwealth Games has risen by almost half. |
| Organisers Glasgow 2014 confirmed that the combined cost of both events was now £20,850,000 - up £6,850,000 or 49% on the 2012 estimate of £14m. | Organisers Glasgow 2014 confirmed that the combined cost of both events was now £20,850,000 - up £6,850,000 or 49% on the 2012 estimate of £14m. |
| A spokesman said the extra costs covered developments at both ceremonies to maximise the spectacle. | A spokesman said the extra costs covered developments at both ceremonies to maximise the spectacle. |
| The costs will be met from the general budget and not the contingency fund or Scottish government 2014 reserve fund. | |
| 'Unique opportunity' | 'Unique opportunity' |
| The Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: "The opening and closing ceremonies are key moments of the games, when the eyes of the world will be on Glasgow and Scotland. | The Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: "The opening and closing ceremonies are key moments of the games, when the eyes of the world will be on Glasgow and Scotland. |
| "They offer a unique opportunity to showcase the host nation, the host city and the talent of the Scottish people. | "They offer a unique opportunity to showcase the host nation, the host city and the talent of the Scottish people. |
| "As we have developed the ceremonies, opportunities have arisen to add to the spectacle to deliver truly memorable events. | "As we have developed the ceremonies, opportunities have arisen to add to the spectacle to deliver truly memorable events. |
| "To make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we have chosen to make some additional investments in the ceremonies." | "To make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we have chosen to make some additional investments in the ceremonies." |
| The spokesman would not be drawn on details of the "additional investments" ahead of the events. | The spokesman would not be drawn on details of the "additional investments" ahead of the events. |
| Meanwhile, ScotRail has said it is "planning the biggest train timetable that Scotland has ever seen" to help transport Games spectators. | Meanwhile, ScotRail has said it is "planning the biggest train timetable that Scotland has ever seen" to help transport Games spectators. |
| Extra carriages and more frequent services will be provided until late at night, with services running until 01:00 on some routes. | Extra carriages and more frequent services will be provided until late at night, with services running until 01:00 on some routes. |
| ScotRail said this was aimed at coping with an expected extra one million train journeys on its network during the Games period. | ScotRail said this was aimed at coping with an expected extra one million train journeys on its network during the Games period. |
| 'Busy time' | 'Busy time' |
| The train operator said it would unveil the timetable later this month. | The train operator said it would unveil the timetable later this month. |
| It will be introduced on 21 July, two days ahead of the opening ceremony. It will remain in place for two weeks until the closing ceremony on 3 August. | It will be introduced on 21 July, two days ahead of the opening ceremony. It will remain in place for two weeks until the closing ceremony on 3 August. |
| Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's managing director, said: "We have been planning this timetable for almost two years - working with games organisers, local authorities and industry partners to balance the needs of spectators and customers across Scotland. | Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's managing director, said: "We have been planning this timetable for almost two years - working with games organisers, local authorities and industry partners to balance the needs of spectators and customers across Scotland. |
| "I'm confident that we'll make best use of every train, station and stretch of track available during what will be an extremely busy time for Scotland's transport networks." | "I'm confident that we'll make best use of every train, station and stretch of track available during what will be an extremely busy time for Scotland's transport networks." |
| ScotRail said it was due to hold talks with rail unions over staffing issues surrounding the Games timetable. | ScotRail said it was due to hold talks with rail unions over staffing issues surrounding the Games timetable. |
| Last November, the RMT union called for "recognition and reward" payments to cover extra workloads before and during the event. | Last November, the RMT union called for "recognition and reward" payments to cover extra workloads before and during the event. |
| A ScotRail spokesman said: "We are making progress and are due to meet again soon with each of the trade unions to take matters further forward." | A ScotRail spokesman said: "We are making progress and are due to meet again soon with each of the trade unions to take matters further forward." |