MSP and Councillor Raise Tall Ships Issue

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) and Inverclyde Councillor Chris Osborne have today (Friday) highlighted issues surrounding the clean-up of both the Bogston and Cartsdyke train stations in the lead up to the Tall Ships event taking place from Saturday 9th to Tuesday 12th July 2011.

Mr McMillan, after liaising with Councillor Osborne, has written to both Network Rail and ScotRail to ask how they are progressing with making sure Bogston and Cartsdyke Stations are ready for the Tall Ships event.

Last year, Mr McMillan was told that both Cartsdyke Station and Bogston Station are to be rebranded and painted in the run up to the Tall Ships event. This news came in a response letter from Steve Montgomery Managing Director of ScotRail to Mr McMillan.

Mr McMillan said;

"I felt it was important to, once again, write to both Network Rail and ScotRail to highlight concerns which have been raised to both Councillor Osborne and myself regarding making sure Bogston and Cartsdyke Stations are ready for the Tall Ships event.

"It's important we portray Inverclyde in a positive light during this wonderful spectacle. Therefore, any improvements which can be taken at both stations must be done so as this will make the area more visually pleasing to all those coming to Inverclyde for the Tall Ships race.

Cllr Osborne said;

"Both the Cardwell Bay Community Council and the Town Centre Residents Group have raised the state of these two stations and the surrounding areas with me.

The plan is to advise those travelling to Greenock to alight the train at Bogston but it is inevitable that local people will use the Cartsdyke station also. For that reason I would urge both Network Rail and the council to see what can be done to make these stations ready to give the best impression possible to those visiting Inverclyde."