Clydesdale MSP Mairi McAllan is campaigning for improvements to local bus services, including new stops serving Douglas and a pilot scheme to gauge demand for routes in areas such as Braidwood and Law. She has arranged a meeting with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) after noting that 'a number of issues were raised during the election campaign about work required on bus services.'
Key issues raised with SPT
Ms McAllan will raise constituents' issues with SPT officials next month after writing to the organisation about local connectivity. She is highlighting the 253 service from Coalburn to Hamilton, a request for an additional stop by the X74 service between Glasgow and Dumfries which passes through South Lanarkshire, and potential transport connections for Law village and Braidwood.
In her letter to SPT, she stated: 'With the 253 bus service, constituents have raised concerns about frequent disruption as a result of cancellations, often at short notice – [this] is the only timetabled bus service to and from Coalburn.' The MSP added that she 'understands SPT are engaging with the operator about these issues, and is also pleased to have secured a review of the subsidised route to consider connectivity with Douglas which would greatly benefit from being served by the 253.'
X74 service and Douglas connectivity
Clydesdale residents have also asked whether the X74, which has stops in Hamilton, Lesmahagow and Abington en route between Glasgow and Dumfries, could additionally stop in the Douglas area, saying it 'would greatly improve connectivity.' Ms McAllan said: 'Given the difficulty in accessing public transport in this part of Clydesdale, it appears hard to justify an already-active service not making this stop; [I have] asked for a proper discussion on how better connectivity for Clydesdale with the X74 service can be progressed, and make better use of the M74 corridor.'
Pilot scheme for Law and Braidwood
Her third request for the SPT meeting is an assessment of public transport provision in Law and Braidwood, with the MSP noting that an SPT pilot bus scheme has been launched in part of Cumbernauld to help understand local travel needs. Clydesdale's MSP told the Advertiser: 'I have worked productively with SPT and others on transport issues and secured positive gains for transport connectivity in the constituency. A number of issues were raised during the recent election campaign about work required on Clydesdale's bus services, particularly in Coalburn, Douglas and our villages; I have therefore written to SPT requesting collaborative discussions and work on addressing these concerns, and I look forward to meeting with SPT over the summer recess period.'
New evening trial service welcomed
She also welcomed 'the recent announcement of a late evening trial service between Biggar and Edinburgh on Fridays and Saturdays' which begins this weekend, July 10, and said: 'I would encourage local residents to make the most of this increased service.' A spokesperson for SPT said: 'SPT will meet with Ms McAllan in August to discuss issues and opportunities for the bus services serving the communities of Clydesdale at this time.'
