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.
3rd July 2009 – COBRA Considers Response to TACTRAN TERS Study At its committee meeting COBRA discussed the TERS Study report and are now in the process of preparing a detailed response to the report's consideration into reopening Blackford railway station. COBRA intends to submit its own response to the TERS report to Transport Scotland later this summer and engage further with the campaign's widespread political and other supporters.
26th June 2009 – TACTRAN Publishes TERS Study TACTRAN has today published the long awaited Tay Estuary Rail Study (TERS) appraisal report. The extensive report has been prepared by consultants Steer Davies Gleave, using the STAG process to develop and appraise options for future rail-based solutions within the TACTRAN area. The report appraises the case for reopening Blackford railway station as well as enhancing the existing station at Gleneagles. The report can be found at http://www.tactran.gov.uk/projects.html
The Press Release from Dr Simpson reads "At a Parliamentary Question Time in the Scottish Parliament last week, Dr Richard Simpson MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife pointed out to Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport the need for re-opening of Blackford station. He reminded the Minister that the Campaign to Open Blackford Railway station Again (COBRA) at it's AGM had presented the case for re-opening prior to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014. The need continues to grow with increases in population and with the predicted expansion of Highland Spring. There are also many problems with the existing surrounding stations such as poor disabled access at Gleneagles and inadequate parking facilities at Dunblane. The Minister acknowledged the strength of points being made. Dr Simpson said - "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."
May 2009 – COBRA Receives Local Grant Funding COBRA is pleased to accept a grant of £750 to assist with the campaign's marketing, promotion and administration work. The grant is funded by the Ochil Developments Blackford Community Development Fund, administered by the Scottish Community Federation. The grant will immediately help with the publication of campaign leaflets.
6th February 2009 – Minutes of 2009 AGM Published
The minutes of the well attended 2009 AGM are now available here.
30th January 2009 – Strathearn Herald covers COBRA AGM The Strathearn Herald today reports on the visit of the Scottish Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, to COBRA's recent public meeting and AGM. Further details can be viewed here.
21st January 2009 – The Courier covers COBRA AGM The Courier today reports on the visit of the Scottish Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, to COBRA's recent public meeting and AGM. Further details can be viewed here.
19th January 2009 – COBRA Public Meeting and AGM The next public meeting of COBRA will be held on 19th January 2009 at 7.30pm in Highland Spring. The meeting will also include the AGM and election of officials for the next year. Please come along to find out about progress and to get involved with the campaign.
13th January 2009 – COBRA in the Perthshire Advertiser The Perthshire Advertiser today highlights Ian Hislop's support for the campaign. Further details can be viewed here.
The Courier today carries an article highlighting the support of Ian Hislop to the COBRA campaign and reaffirms the strong cross-party political support to reopen the station. Further details can be found at http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/12/22/newsstory12415982t0.asp.
6th November 2008 – Roll On In Donates over £100 to COBRA Roll On In, a very popular sandwich and take away food shop in Blackford has kindly donated £105 collected from staff and customers to the COBRA campaign. Neil Gaunt, Chair of COBRA, expressed his thanks to Freda Robertson, proprietor of the Roll On In, and said the donation would help greatly with the campaign's promotional and lobbying work.
28th October 2008 – Ian Hislop adds his support to the Campaign! Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and regular on Have I Got News for You, recently presented a BBC4 Programme "Off the Rails" that looked into the 1963 Beeching closures.
Ian has now added his support to the COBRA campaign, saying "I'm delighted to offer my support to the Campaign to Open Blackford Railway-station Again. Good luck to COBRA."
Ian "Off the Rails" Hislop
30th September 2008 – COBRA makes the news again! The Herald today carries a letter from COBRA highlighting the advantages of re-opening rural stations. The letter can be viewed here or downloaded from the "Support" page.
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, reiterated her support for the COBRA campaign in a news item in the Perthshire Advertiser on 26th September on planned fast train services between Perth and Edinburgh. The article can be viewed here or downloaded from the "Support" page.
29th September 2008 – Minutes of Public Meeting on 22nd September 2008 The minutes of the well attended and informative COBRA Public Meeting held on 22nd September can be read here or downloaded from the "About Us" page. In addition, a copy of the presentation given by Eric Guthrie, Partnership Director, TACTRAN can be viewed here or downloaded from the Support" page.
22nd September 2008 – COBRA secures new Patron COBRA is pleased to announce that Desmond Carrington, the renowned BBC Radio 2 presenter, has agreed to become a patron of COBRA.
Desmond is a strong supporter of the campaign aims and COBRA welcomes the added profile that Desmond's support will bring.
22nd September 2008 – Public Meeting The next public meeting for COBRA will be held on Monday 22nd September 2008 at 7.30pm in Highland Spring. The meeting will be attended by Eric Guthrie, Director of Tayside and Central Scotland Transport partnership (TACTRAN) who will give an update on progress, along with various political representatives.
9th June 2008 – Minutes of Committee Meeting 2nd June 2008 The minutes of the COBRA Committee meeting held on 2nd June have now been published and can be read here or downloaded from the "About Us" page.
21st May 2008 – Official Report from Public Petitions Committee The Committee agreed to schedule further consideration of the petition to reopen Blackford station once the STAG2 Appraisal on the Tay Estuary Rail Study has been completed and the Strategic Transports Project Review being undertaken by Transport Scotland has been completed. It also agreed to seek a response from Scotrail on various issues raised in the petition.
Spring 2008 – STAG2 Appraisal TACTRAN will appoint consultants to undertake a detailed options appraisal of the Perth/Dundee to Glasgow/Edinburgh rail routes using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (part 2) methodology. For more information on this process see the guidance at http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/defaultpage1221cde0.aspx?pageID=255
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.
COBRA is pleased to accept a grant of £750 to assist with the campaign's marketing, promotion and administration work. The grant is funded by the Ochil Developments Blackford Community Development Fund, administered by the Scottish Community Federation. The grant will immediately help with the publication of campaign leaflets. 
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