Inverclyde councillor in campaign to resurrect Kilmacolm's railway

Councillor Chris Curley says that the reopening of the line from Kilmacolm to Paisley should be considered as part of plans to improve public transport across the whole of the Gryffe valley.

Mr Curley says bringing the train station back in some form would help connectivity between villages and significantly reduce the time taken to get from Kilmacolm into the centre of Glasgow.

He believes a cost-effective and reliable train service would dissuade people from using their cars and help to reduce carbon emissions.

The Kilmacolm councillor said the idea of reinstating the line has been discussed for a number of years but he fears that if strategic plans aren't put in place soon, the opportunity will be lost.

Cllr Curley said: "The time is now to start looking in earnest at improving transport links to Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village before development over the old line makes its reuse impossible.

"If we don't make a decision soon we will lose it.

"There's a large amount of car use in this area but if you don't have a car, you can't get about.

"Even an electric car is a very inefficient method of travel when you consider the resources used in construction and use.

"The 1A bus currently provides a service but the total journey time from Kilmacolm to Glasgow Central on this route is over an hour.

"To encourage a shift from cars to public transport we need to provide a fast reliable and long term service provision.

"A train service is possible and in my opinion, many options exist which could reduce the journey time from Kilmacolm into Glasgow by around 50 per cent.

"We have this ability to use a pre-existing route."

After the line between Kilmacolm and Glasgow closed in 1983 the tracks were removed but those between Paisley Canal and Kilmacolm remain.

There was a partial reopening of the railway line between Glasgow and Paisley Canal in 1990.

The main issue with reinstatement of a line from Kilmacolm lies with the A737 Johnstone bypass as the bridge across it isn't suitable for a heavy railway.

Councillor Curley says the work being done in Renfrewshire on the City Deal project - which is proposing a link between Paisley Gilmour Street and Glasgow Airport - could incorporate Kilmacolm.

He praised the work of the Gryffe Transport Forum, which has explored how the reopened Kilmacolm railway line would integrate into a Glasgow line.

Mr Curley has raised the need for better connectivity between Inverclyde and the rest of Glasgow as part of his submission to the strategic transport projects review by the Scottish Government - and has pledged to continue to make the case through Inverclyde Council.

He added: "The recent proposals for a metro between Paisley Gilmour Street station and Glasgow Airport, and then onto Glasgow, present an opportunity for this metro line to be extended to Kilmacolm and to other towns in Renfrewshire using the old railway line.

"Reinstating the line in some form will help us build more connected communities across the west of Scotland."

Andrew Brewer, secretary of Kilmacolm Community Council, said he would welcome a reintroduction of the line and wants the well-used foot and cycle path nearby to be maintained.

He said: "The footpath and cyclepath are always really busy and it's been a great walk for people during lockdown.

"It's really difficult trying to get to a hospital without a car if you live in Kilmacolm.

"We need a reliable and cost-effective train service.

"There's potential for a train service to go through other villages in Renfrewshire like Linwood, Houston and Bridge of Weir.

"There are a huge number of people living in new build housing developments in these areas, which would open up a lot of opportunities."