'Progress' on east-west rail plan

The aim is to open the route by the year 2010

Backers of plans to reopen a rail link between Bathgate and Airdrie said they have had a positive response from MSPs.

Network Rail has introduced a bill in the Scottish Parliament to provide another rail route between Edinburgh and Glasgow by 2010.

A committee has been taking evidence from a range of groups during the private bill's early stages.

West Lothian Council and community councils made submissions at the latest committee meeting in Airdrie.

Council leader Graeme Morrice said: "We were given a very good hearing by the committee of MSPs.

"In our presentation we outlined the wide range of benefits which West Lothian would gain from reopening the rail link between Bathgate and Airdrie.

"There are very strong economic and social arguments supporting the case for providing another direct rail route between Edinburgh and Glasgow through our local communities."