RE-OPENING THE BATHGATE TO AIRDRIE RAIL LINE

That this House welcomes the re-opening on 12 December 2010 of the rail line between Bathgate in West Lothian andAirdrie in North Lanarkshire, linking the east coast of Scotland through Edinburgh Waverley station with the west coast of Scotland through Glasgow Queen Street station to Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Balloch; and recognises the benefits in terms of employment, business and leisure opportunities that this will open up for the communities of Livingston, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn, Blackridge, Caldercruix and Airdrie along the new route, with similar benefits to the people living on the rail line to the west of Glasgow in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and other communities from having a new direct rail link to Livingston and Edinburgh following the re-opening of this vital rail link.