CROSSRAIL, the £130million plan to link Glasgow's two main stations, has been "kicked into the long grass".

CROSSRAIL, the £130million plan to link Glasgow's two main stations, has been "kicked into the long grass".

Critics attacked Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson for not including plans for it in the long-awaited Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Crossrail, the missing link in Scotland's rail network, would allow commuters from Ayrshire and the south to travel to Glasgow and on to Edinburgh and beyond without changing stations.

Anniesland MSP Bill Butler said the omission was a "missed opportunity".

Mr Butler, who heads a cross-party group at the Scottish Parliament which has been campaigning for Crossrail, said he was both angry and disappointed.

He said: "I believe the project, as put forward by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, is realistic, cost-effective and deliverable.

"It would deliver economic benefits not just to Glasgow but the whole of Scotland."

In his announcement, Mr Stevenson spoke of other work in Glasgow, including the construction of a new city centre station linking the rail network to the city.

But his spokesman was not able to give any details of timescale or cost or discussion that had taken place.

Mr Butler claimed the Minister had been referring to a "long-forgotten" scheme which would cost £3billion.

He said: "This is an attempt by civil servants to kick Crossrail into the long grass."

SPT chair Alistair Watson said: "The proposal to build a third station in central Glasgow would almost certainly have to be underground, is hugely ambitious and would cost billions.

"At this cost, would this project ever be delivered or is it an attempt to make a big promise but in effect kick the Crossrail proposal into the long grass?".

Mr Stevenson also announced a proposal for a Metro/Light Rapid Transport network across Glasgow.

That was welcomed by Mr Watson who said it was just the SPT's proposed Fastlink system in all but name.

The confirmation of a new Forth bridge was the highlight of the £25billion road and rail improvement package announced by Mr Stevenson.

The Forth crossing has been costed at £2bn, about half the original estimate.

The review also sets out a new national ticketing system covering rail and buses, more park-and-ride facilities, dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness and the A96 from Inverness to Nairn, upgrades to the A82 from Glasgow and Fort William and roads around Stranraer.