Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw has expressed frustration at Network Rail declining to take forward efforts for a new path in Busby after the removal of a bridge at the railway line.
As part of the East Kilbride enhancement project, Network Rail demolished the Mast Lane Bridge at the beginning of February but there was no consultation with local residents and little notice in advance about the work.
The Mast Lane Bridge was adjacent to residential development including the housing at Station Road and it was regularly used by local people to access the fields.
Mr Carlaw wrote to Network Rail in support of a request from residents for the bridge removal work to be paused but the organisation proceeded to carry out the demolition job as planned.
Mr Carlaw made further representation to Network Rail calling on the organisation to explore options for putting in place a replacement path on the land and to provide a new access for residents to enter the site in the direction of Thorntonhall.
Network Rail responded to confirm that they would not initiate any such exercise because the organisation does not own the land in question.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“Many of my constituents in Busby whose homes are located nearby the railway line are understandably furious at the removal of the Mast Lane Bridge and with the loss of a key access point to the adjacent land.
“Residents have made clear that the path was widely used to enter the fields and it is disappointing that the access was removed with only scant notice provided let alone any sort of consultation.
“In the days following the demolition work, I visited the site in person and it does seem to me that Network Rail should look at putting in place a usable path trail from the end of the new bridge at Westerton Lane along to the previous crossover point or formulate some similar solution.
“If it is the case that Network Rail do not have the authority to arrange a full programme of activity to introduce a new path on their own, the organisation should at the very least engage with the landowners to explore options.
“The blunt approach adopted by Network Rail towards the removal of a long-standing local bridge and without any plans to introduce a new path for accessing the adjacent fields is hugely frustrating.”
