Welcome to COBRA, the Campaign to Open Blackford Railway-station Again!
COBRA was formed in 2002 to promote and lobby for the reopening of the railway station at Blackford in Perthshire.
Since 2002, the campaign has attracted strong support from communities across the Strathearn and Strathallan area, from businesses, local authorities, transport bodies and politicians at local, regional and national levels.
Reopening the station will provide widespread economic, environmental and social benefits, forming an integral part of the future regional transport strategy.
Blackford is strategically situated adjacent to the A9 between Stirling and Perth. With an ever increasing focus on establishing socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, integrated transport schemes, the reopening of Blackford station presents a major opportunity to residents, businesses and visitors across a wide area of central Scotland.
The campaign proposes that Blackford would be a safe, user-friendly and well-located station accessible to all as part of an integrated transport system, supporting the Scottish Government's aspiration for "a modal shift from car to sustainable transport".
COBRA is undertaking a travel survey during the period of 8th-19th February 2010. The survey will help us assess station requirements and existing local travel patterns. Please complete the online survey by clicking here. Thank you.
Please contact your MSP to support the COBRA campaign. A sample letter can be downloaded here along with a list of relevant MSPs.
Support
“This case is one of the best that has been made for the re-opening of a railway station. The basic infrastructure at Blackford means this would be a relatively inexpensive action and the Ryder Cup as a tourist event would benefit hugely from the re-opening of the station at Blackford.”
Dr Richard Simpson, MSP
“As the MP for Blackford I am strongly committed to seeing the return of rail passenger services to the area. There are significant advantages to both the population and the local economy. We must all work together to ensure that we reap those benefits. COBRA have done a terrific job in promoting the aims and objectives of COBRA and I back their efforts 100%. I look forward to continuing our good relationship as we move towards securing the re-opening of Blackford station. Keep up the good work COBRA and congratulations on the new website!!”
Gordon Banks, MP
“The substantial development taking place in and around Blackford and its position within commuting distance of Perth, Dundee, Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow, indicate that it would be socially, economically and environmentally desirable to provide this facility.”
John Purvis MEP
“There is a growing demand from commuters along the A9 between Perth and Dunblane for a better, more accessible service to cater for the current and future expected growth of people living in the area plus tourist, retail and Highland Spring initiatives. The area around Blackford is designated to be the location of the largest tourist related development in Scotland with the potential of £400 million investment."
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP
"TACTRAN will support and promote rail infrastructure enhancements proposed under TERS (Tay Estuary Rail Study), including…. possible new stations at locations such as Blackford…..”
TACTRAN Regional Transport Strategy 2007
Latest News
8th February 2010 – Travel Survey Online As part of the feasibility study currently being undertaken by COBRA and AECOM, our independent transport consultant, a survey is being carried out across the communities of Aberuthven, Auchterarder, Blackford and Dunning. The survey will help us understand local transport patterns and station requirements and is being distributed to c.3,800 households in the area with collection points in each villsge. The easiest way to complete the survey is online - the cover letter providing more details can be downloaded here and the survey form can be accessed online here.
The survey closes on 19th February 2010 - many thanks!
24th January 2010 – Contact Your MSP : Sample Letter The Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee will next consider the COBRA e-Petition on 22nd April 2010. You can help the campaign by sending a letter of support to relevant MSPs before 8th April 2010.
To assist you, COBRA has prepared a sample letter that you can download and edit. The sample letter also contains a list of relevant MSP contact details. A MS Word version can be downloaded here and a PDF version here. Many thanks for your support!
22nd January 2010 – Strathallan News backs COBRA campaign The Strathallan News today reported on another highly successful COBRA AGM and added the support of the newspaper to the campaign. In joining the campaign, the Strathallan News called for all local communities to unite behind efforts to re-open the station. COBRA thanks the Strathallan News for their valuable support.
18th January 2010 – Successful AGM COBRA is pleased to report a highly successful AGM held at Highland Spring. Bruce Fummey, a new patron to the campaign, expressed his strong support. Paul Finch, Associate Director from AECOM outlined how the independent transport study would be taken forward and the key opportunity for all residents in the Strathearn/Strathallan catchment to participate in the survey work. Gordon Banks, MP, addressed the meeting, affirming his continued strong support for the campaign, the strong business case for reopening and the widespread benefits to all the surrounding communities. Presentations from the AGM can be viewed by clicking here or going to the Downloads page.
7th December 2009– Announcement of AGM COBRA is pleased to announce that its AGM will be held on 18th January 2010 at 7.30pm in Highland Spring. The AGM will include a presentation from the independent transport consultant appointed by COBRA to undertake a detailed appraisal of the case for station reopening. Everyone is welcome - watch this space for further information!
7th December 2009– COBRA Appoints Transport Consultant COBRA is pleased to announce that it has appointed AECOM to undertake development of the business case to reopen the station and looks forward to working with Paul Finch, Associate Director, Transportation on the project. Watch this space for more information on how you can get involved and look out for our AGM where the project will be presented in more detail.
4th December 2009– Perthshire Advertiser The Perthshire Advertiser today covers announcement of the recent round of Climate Challenge funding, including COBRA. You can view the article on the Support Page or by clicking here.
26th November 2009– COBRA awarded Climate Challenge Funding COBRA is very pleased to announce that it has successfully secured a grant from the Climate Challenge Fund to undertake a detailed feasibility study for reopening the station. The study will be undertaken by an independent transport consultant who will work with the committee to deliver a final report by the end of March 2010. COBRA gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the Climate Challenge Fund.
20th October 2009– A Further Patron for COBRA COBRA is very pleased to announce that Bruce Fummey, the well known Scottish comedian and public speaker, has agreed to become a patron of COBRA. Bruce, a resident of Blackford, is a strong supporter of the campaign's objectives and COBRA welcomes the increased profile that his support will bring.
14th October 2009– COBRA makes the STV News STV News today presented an excellent news item outlining the background and benefits of reopening Blackford Station, including a short interview with COBRA Chair, Neil Gaunt.
8th September 2009– ePetitions Committee Following publication of the TERS Study Report, the e-Petitions Committee considered TACTRAN's submission in relation to reopening Blackford Station at its meeting on 8th September. Dr Richard Simpson, MSP, gave a strong supporting statement in favour of reopening. The Committee decided to keep the Petition open for at least a further 4 months to allow a response from Transport Scotland.
September 2009– Widespread press Coverage for COBRA Response The Courier, Perthshire Advertiser and Strathallan News have all given extensive coverage to COBRA's response to the TERS Study in advance of the ePetitions Committee. You can view the articles on the Support page or by clicking here.
2nd September 2009– COBRA Response and Supporting Information COBRA publishes and circulates its response to the TACTRAN TERS Study Report to a wide range of stakeholders. The response, and supporting information relating to the benefits to the 2014 Ryder Cup and comparative station reopening costs from across the UK can all be found on the Downloads page or by clicking here.
For more information or to contact COBRA, please email info@cobra-blackford.org.uk
COBRA is pleased to report a highly successful AGM held at Highland Spring. Bruce Fummey, a new patron to the campaign, expressed his strong support. Paul Finch, Associate Director from AECOM outlined how the independent transport study would be taken forward and the key opportunity for all residents in the Strathearn/Strathallan catchment to participate in the survey work. Gordon Banks, MP, addressed the meeting, affirming his continued strong support for the campaign, the strong business case for reopening and the widespread benefits to all the surrounding communities. Presentations from the AGM can be viewed by clicking 
COBRA is pleased to announce that it has appointed AECOM to undertake development of the business case to reopen the station and looks forward to working with Paul Finch, Associate Director, Transportation on the project. Watch this space for more information on how you can get involved and look out for our AGM where the project will be presented in more detail.
enge Funding
COBRA is very pleased to announce that Bruce Fummey, the well known Scottish comedian and public speaker, has agreed to become a patron of COBRA. Bruce, a resident of Blackford, is a strong supporter of the campaign's objectives and COBRA welcomes the increased profile that his support will bring.