| Ms Robison said that despite assurances Stagecoach would provide an enhanced bus service in Broughty Ferry throughout The Open, First ScotRail had confirmed there were “no plans to increase the level of service” at the train station.
Local ward councillor Ken Guild joined Ms Robison in raising the issue with First Scotrail over the lack of trains from the Ferry to Carnoustie in July.
The SNP politicians pointed out that many Ferry residents would have an interest in the event, as well as the many visitors, including those from overseas, who will be staying in the suburb during the championship.
However, only a single northbound train will stop at the station at 5.34pm, which is too late for most of the day's play.
Mary Dickson, managing director of ScotRail, has replied to Ms Robison, claiming the vast majority of passengers travelling by train to The Open are travelling from further afield. She added, “We are to lengthen our long-distance trains from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.”
Ms Dickson said the firm were hiring locomotive-hauled trains during The Open. However, she stressed the trains would be too long to be accommodated in the platforms at Broughty Ferry and Monifieth.
She added, “It was agreed Stagecoach would provide an enhanced bus service serving Broughty Ferry and Monifieth throughout the Championship.”
Although Ms Robison welcomed news of the additional buses, she said she remained committed to providing more trains for the Ferry public.
She added, “I hope residents in the Ferry intending to go to the golf by public transport will write to ScotRail to complain.”
* Gas main works are set to cause major disruption for drivers on Dundee’s central ring road next month, at a time when thousands of extra motorists will be passing through the city en-route to The Open.
A section of South Marketgait will be subject to restrictions in both directions for a period of three weeks from July 16 — two days before golf’s biggest major championship tees off at Carnoustie.
The work will see a 30-metre section of cast iron gas main removed and replaced with polyethylene pipe in a £15,000 operation.
During the works, the one-way harbour exit at the Custom House on West Victoria Dock Road will be closed off and diversions will be in place via West and South Victoria Dock Road and South Marketgait.
There will also be a lane closure eastbound on South Marketgait, and the road will be closed completely westbound from July 24 for ten days
In this instance, drivers will be forced to complete a full circuit of the Marketgait ring road in order to reach their destination.
According to Scotland Gas Networks, the project has been planned in close consultation with roads contractor Bear Scotland and Dundee City Council in a bid to minimise disruption to local businesses and traffic.
Signage will be placed on the road in advance to ensure drivers who regularly use South Marketgait are aware of the impending works and can adjust their plans accordingly.
SGN Team Manager George Sivewright said, “We appreciate this will inevitably cause some disruption, although these works are planned to coincide with school holidays to minimise this.” |
