THE realisation of a ''dream'' was being celebrated in Ayrshire
yesterday, with the opening of Prestwick International Rail Station,
which provides the first of the missing links between Scotland's
railways and airports.
The new facility will offer holidaymakers from anywhere in Scotland,
who are flying out of Prestwick International Airport, the opportunity
to travel to the new station for a flat return fare of #5.
From today, approximately 40 trains daily will run between Glasgow and
the new station, situated near to the existing Prestwick station. It is
likely to increase pressure for a similar link at Glasgow Airport.
The facility was built -- at a cost of approximately #2.5m -- through
a partnership involving the private and public sectors. PIK Facilities
Ltd, a subsidiary of the airport's holding company, is understood to be
the first private company to run a station. PIK represents the airport's
internationally designated call sign.
The station has two platforms and is situated on the existing
electrified Glasgow to Ayr railway line, 100 yards from the airport
terminal building. An enclosed footbridge and ''skywalk'' provides
direct pedestrian access between the two buildings.
The station heralds the latest stage in the rebirth of the airport,
which was destined for closure before a group of private Scottish
investors, led by the Lord Younger of Prestwick, rescued it in April
1992.
The number of passengers using the airport has risen from 24,000 to
145,000 this year, and it has a workforce of 273, compared to 51 before
the takeover.
Yesterday, about 400 VIP guests gathered in the main terminal building
for a champagne and musical reception, before Scottish Secretary Ian
Lang officially opened the station.
The facility was hailed as ''tremendous'' for Prestwick and Ayrshire
by Provost Gibson McDonald of Kyle and Carrick District Council, who
said: ''It is something that has been dreamed of for many years.''
Mr Lang said the station provided ''a solid link with Ayr, Glasgow,
and beyond''. It demonstrated the confidence in the future of the
airport and would help to attract freight and passenger charter
operators.
Councillor Gerald McGrath, depute leader of Strathclyde Regional
Council, pointed out that the station was the 43rd to be opened in the
region since 1975. However, he questioned whether the event would have
proceeded if the Government's plans for local government reorganisation
had been in place.
He said: ''The Government promises a separate Strathclyde passenger
authority for the future, but we do not yet know how far the boundaries
will extend or what fund raising powers it will have. We must recognise
what made this success possible and ask what future there is for similar
ventures.''
Mr Lang said the SPTE would remain within a new formation and the
co-operation between local authorities under the new system would be
every bit as close as that which existed at present.
Lord Younger, PIK Holdings chairman, expressed concern that Scotland
was not cashing in on tourism. He urged those responsible to do all they
could to reduce the cost of air travel to Scotland.
Evidence of how this could succeed had been demonstrated by the new
low-cost Prestwick to Dublin service introduced last May, which had
almost doubled the number of Scots and Irish travelling between the two
countries.
He said 1000 train journeys a week had also resulted from the Dublin
service, even before the new facility was open.
Mr David Campbell, vice chairman of Enterprise Ayrshire, urged
Strathclyde and the Scottish Office to press ahead with the M77 Glasgow
to Ayr road link, which he said was vital to the economy of South-west
Scotland.
Mr Matthew Hudson, chief executive of PIK Ltd, the company responsible
for the day-to-day running of the airport, said he was confident that
the new station would be a cost- effective addition to the airport,
which was now in profit. This compared with heavy losses made when it
was owned by BAA, he said.
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