Buddies are on track for a massive jobs boost after MSPs gave plans for a direct rail service between Glasgow Airport and the City Centre the green light.

 I recently voted in favour of the £170 million Glasgow Airport Rail Link, which will: 

·        Generate an additional  £10 million per year for the regional economy

·        Bring 700 new jobs to Paisley Town Centre

·        Create a further 650 jobs in Renfrewshire and Glasgow

·        Provide a dedicated 16 minute train service every quarter of an hour between Glasgow Central station and a new station at the airport

·        Bring 53 000 extra visitors to the region every year

·        Improve links between Paisley and Glasgow, with an extra 4 trains per hour to and from Glasgow

·        Benefit the environment

 ·        Reduce congestion  

Track between Shields Junction and Paisley Gilmour Street will be upgraded and new track will be laid between Paisley St James station and Glasgow Airport. The new track will cross the M8 and St James Park. Disruption at the playing fields will be kept to a minimum during construction.  11 pitches will remain in use at St James with 11 provided nearby.  Once completed, 20 new pitches will be provided on the current site and 2 nearby.  The pavilion will be moved and replaced with modern facilities and all of the pitches will be of league standard.   

New drainage will also be provided to prevent flooding.

 Careful steps are being taken to safeguard the local environment whilst the new line is being built.  A Code of Construction Practice will be followed to protect surroundings and dust and noise levels will be kept to a minimum. 

EXTRA £2M FOR RENFREWSHIRE SCHOOLS

Renfrewshire schools are to benefit from more than £2 million worth of additional funding. Schools in the region are being completely upgraded, rebuilt or renovated under the Labour-led Scottish Executive school building programme.  However, the latest cash bonanza means local schools will receive a share of: 

 ·        £1.4 million to spend on educational resources – everything from books and musical instruments to CD roms, interactive whiteboards and computers

·        £690 000 for building improvements, targeted at areas such as staff bases, pupil toilets and playgrounds. By continuing to invest in Renfrewshire’s schools, we give local children a better chance of realising their potential. 

LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR ROGUE RETAILERS 

Protecting local children is as important as educating them. Too many under-16s in Renfrewshire are being sold cigarettes in local shops.  I’m calling for licence suspensions for retailers who sell tobacco products to underage youths. Tougher penalties for those who break the law will send out a clear signal to other retailers and help to protect local kids’ health.    

£33M TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR 

The Labour-led Scottish Executive has pledged unprecedented funding to tackle anti-social behaviour.  More than £33 million will be spent on clamping down on the problem next year.    The cash boost could be used to employ more community wardens and set up youth projects to keep youngsters off the streets. It also complements the powers the police and the Council currently have to tackle the problem.