The leader of South Lanarkshire Council has called on Transport Scotland to come clean over the evidence which led them to ditch the decision to dual East Kilbride's rail line.
Council leader Joe Fagan, who represents the East Kilbride Central North ward, wants the Scottish Government's transport body to turn over the evidence supporting their position to the Council so it can be reviewed.
A sudden announcement in October of a U-turn on track dualling came via Transport Scotland, causing anger among local residents and politicians.
The SLC leader previous wrote to Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP, after the dualling of the line between East Kilbride and Busby was ditched - with electrification only now planned.
Council leader Joe Fagan told Lanarkshire Live : "The idea that dual track was never seriously on the agenda is simply not credible.
"We cannot allow history to be rewritten.
"Dual track was part of the electrification package until a raid on the budget last year.
"Now East Kilbride is expected to suffer while other parts of the country receive investment that was earmarked for our rail line.
"It’s out of order.
"Pre-COVID, this was one of the busiest commuter lines in the country and investment is long overdue.
“I am now calling on Transport Scotland to release the evidence used to support their recommendation dual track should be ditched.
"Turn the evidence over to the council and allow us to have it independently reviewed.
"There is still time to stop dual track being ditched but we need politicians of all parties to speak up for the town. East Kilbride deserves better than this.”
The Scottish Government previously said dualling was "considered" in the business case development process, but deemed not "financailly viable" due to "prohibitive costs".
They added that the line will have “greater resilience” through improvements to signalling and the addition of new ‘loops’ at Hairmyres.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising the East Kilbride and Barrhead routes and preparatory work has already been under taken ahead of construction.
“Electrification of routes like East Kilbride and Barrhead demonstrate our aim and our commitment of decarbonising all rail passenger services in Scotland by 2035.”
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