South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine met with campaigners pushing to re-open Thornhill train station.
The station closed in 1965, and the Thornhill Station Action Group think re-opening it boost local employment prospects, stop the ‘brain-drain’ from the town and have a positive impact on the environment.
At the meeting, Ms McAlpine advised the group to put a submission in to the Scottish Government’s consultation on refreshing the National Transport Strategy.
The MSP also promised to include the re-opening of the station in her own submission.
Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to offer my support to the community campaign to re-open Thornhill Station.
“At over 28 miles long, the Nith Valley line between Sanquhar and Dumfries is the longest stretch on the route without a station.
“It is clear to me that the communities of the mid Nith Valley and Glencairn would benefit considerably from a train station here.
“It’s always going to be a lot of work, but the good thing is that the platform is still there, which should make things a lot easier if the Council and the local transport partnership do decide to put a bid in to the Scottish Government to help fund the re-opening.”
