East Dunbartonshire Council has launched a consultation on potential railway improvements in the Bearsden and Milngavie area.

Transport Scotland recently turned down the Council's bid for funding to investigate options for twin-tracking the rail line between Westerton and Milngavie.

However, members of the Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee agreed last week to keep working for improvements.

It was decided that:

• A transport consultant will be appointed by the Council to carry out appraisal works on potentially twin-tracking the Westerton to Milngavie line

• Officers will meet with Transport Scotland to discuss the project and the emerging Network Rail review of the Argyle and North electric services


• The Council will continue to liaise with Network Rail on the issue after meeting representatives as recently as last month.

Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets, said: "I am pleased we are continuing to work on the potential twin-tracking of the railway between Westerton and Milngavie.

"It was disappointing that our bid to the Local Rail Development Fund was turned down, but this is far from the end of the line. It is important to work together to improve transport links - including rail services - in East Dunbartonshire.

"There have been a number of performance issues on the Milngavie rail line and we believe the longer-term solution involves investment in infrastructure."

A meeting has been requested to allow a cross-party delegation - including all political groups and the independent councillor - to put the case directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

Transport Scotland wrote to the Council in August - rejecting its bid to the Local Rail Development Fund - arguing that Network Rail is investigating train performance and demand on the route.

However, the Council has stressed that its application for funding focused on local issues and would ensure that options for improving performance on the Milngavie line would be assessed.

The review being undertaken by Network Rail is a wider study aimed at improving the strategic rail network.