February 2012 - COBRA Annual General Meeting, 20th February 2012, 7.30pm, Highland Spring
COBRA celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012 and will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Monday 20th February 2012, 7.30pm at Highland Spring in Blackford. The meeting will be addressed by Les Montgomery, Highland Spring, John McCormick of the Scottish Association of Public Transport and Jacqueline Welsh of Perth & Kinross Council.

Please come along to find out more about the current campaign status, progress over the last 10 years and the way ahead. COBRA is always looking for new volunteers to work on the campaign - come along to find out how you can get involved. COBRA would also like to extend thanks to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

February 2012 - 2014 Rail Consultation
Transport Scotland initiated their consultation into the future shape of rail services in Scotland in November 2011. The consultation closes on 20th February 2012.

Transport Scotland is seeking views on a wide range of issues including station locations. COBRA will be submitting its own response on behalf of the campaign group and would like to encourage residents across Strathearn and Strathallan to contribute their views and ideas on how train services can best meet the needs of rural communities like Blackford. You can find the consultation at http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j203179-00.htm

5th September 2011 - Liberal Democrat Leader visits Blackford Station
Willie Rennie MSP and leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats recently visited Blackford to speak with the members of COBRA to gain an insight into the case for the re-opening of Blackford Railway Station. Willie Rennie is the latest in a long line of cross-party politicians to recognise the social, economic and environmental benefits in reopening the station. Willie discussed various ideas for advancing the campaign with COBRA committee representatives.

Willie Rennie is pictured surveying the existing station site with Neil Gaunt, COBRA Chair and Jennifer Gordon, COBRA secretary.

20th April 2011 - Liberal Democrat Candidate endorses Blackford Station Reopening
Willie Rennie, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates expressed his support for the reopening of Blackford Station. Willie referenced the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment which states that "The additional transport spend is possible because of the additional borrowing powers of the Scotland Bill. We will use these to ensure other transport projects can proceed. The manifesto identifies specific road projects, strategic park & ride, freight facilities and railway stations such as Kintore, Conon and Blackford. The additional spend will also allow for the re-introduction of business benefits from the Air Discount Scheme and improved support for active transport such as cycling."

31st March 2011 - Green Party Candidates support Blackford Station Reopening
Mark Ruskell and Hilary Charles, Green Party parliamentary candidates express their support for Blackford Station reopening.

30th March 2011 - SNP Candidate at Blackford on Fact Finding Visit
Keith Brown, SNP parliamentary candidate, today visited Blackford on a fact finding visit. Keith met with COBRA representatives and visited Blackford and Gleneagles station sites.

8th March 2011 - COBRA Considered at Petitions Committee
The COBRA petition was further considered by the Parliamentary Petitions Committee today. The main consideration was a further response from Transport Scotland and the associated response from COBRA. The Committee agreed to invite, in its legacy paper, the next session of the Public Petitions Committee to give further consideration to the petition following the Scottish Parliament election on 5th May. COBRA is very pleased at the continuation of the petition while key issues relating to rail transport provision for the Ryder Cup and the objective appraisal of the business case for Blackford are still outstanding.

1st March 2011 - COBRA Meets Keith Brown, Transport Minister
Representatives of COBRA attended a meeting with the Transport Minister, Keith Brown MSP. At the meeting COBRA outlined the campaign background and its widespread support and discussed the outline business case for station reopening with the Minister. The meeting was also attended by John Maxwell, Rail Policy Manager from Transport Scotland. Overall, the Minister was attentive to the issues and discussions covered the drawbacks of Gleneagles station, the potential opportunity with the Ryder Cup, the social, environmental and economic benefits in reopeoning Blackford, timetabling and accurately forecasting passenger demand. The Minister expressed his keen interest in a site visit and stated he would consider the case with an open and objective mind. A copy of the outline business case can be found here.

22nd February 2011 - Another Highly Successful COBRA AGM
Another busy and highly successful COBRA AGM was held on 21st February. Following an entertaining introduction from Bruce Fummey, Campaign Patron, Dr Richard Simpson MSP outlined his continued support for the campaign and the opportunities and pressures presented by the 2014 Ryder Cup. He also alluded to the significant population growth predicted for Perthshire and the added influence this would place on an improved, integrated transport infrastructure including the key role that a reopened Blackford Station would play. Peter Stirling, Chair of Perth & Kinross Access Group confirmed the support of his group for station reopening and outlined the access difficulties and challenges faced by those with physical, visual and sensory disabilities. Patrick Harvie, MSP then outlined the challenges of climate change. He went on to express the need for a much improved approach to transport planning and prioritisation, ensuring that a cohesive national framework was in place against which campaigns such as COBRA would be objectively assessed.
Following reports on key achievements and progress in 2010, the existing committee members were re-elected and Tom Gray, Perth & Kinross Councillor agreed to join the committee. Finally, lively audience discussion took place covering issues such as the Ryder Cup, parking pressures in Dunblane, the wider potential demand for Blackford Station from areas such as Crieff and Comrie,the likely hard choice that would have to be made between investing in Blackford or Gleneagles. Gordon Banks, MP, expressed his continued support and provided tips on how to capitalise on the forthcoming Holyrood elections. COBRA would like to extend thanks again to all the guest speakers and to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

21st February 2011 - COBRA AGM, 7.30pm
COBRA will be holding its AGM at Highland Spring on Monday 21st February at 7.30pm. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP and Dr Richard Simpson, Labour MSP, both strong supporters of the campaign, will speak at the meeting. After another year of successful campaigning, COBRA warmly welcomes residents across the Strathallan and Strathearn area to attend and find out about progress with the campaign. COBRA would also like to extend thanks to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

21st February 2011 - COBRA AGM, 7.30pm
COBRA will be holding its AGM at Highland Spring on Monday 21st February at 7.30pm. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP and Dr Richard Simpson, Labour MSP, both strong supporters of the campaign, will speak at the meeting. After another year of successful campaigning, COBRA warmly welcomes residents across the Strathallan and Strathearn area to attend and find out about progress with the campaign. COBRA would also like to extend thanks to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

21st February 2011 - COBRA AGM, 7.30pm
COBRA will be holding its AGM at Highland Spring on Monday 21st February at 7.30pm. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP and Dr Richard Simpson, Labour MSP, both strong supporters of the campaign, will speak at the meeting. After another year of successful campaigning, COBRA warmly welcomes residents across the Strathallan and Strathearn area to attend and find out about progress with the campaign. COBRA would also like to extend thanks to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

21st February 2011 - COBRA AGM, 7.30pm
COBRA will be holding its AGM at Highland Spring on Monday 21st February at 7.30pm. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP and Dr Richard Simpson, Labour MSP, both strong supporters of the campaign, will speak at the meeting. After another year of successful campaigning, COBRA warmly welcomes residents across the Strathallan and Strathearn area to attend and find out about progress with the campaign. COBRA would also like to extend thanks to Highland Spring for hosting the event.

11th January 2011 – COBRA ePetition discussed at Petitions Committee
Following submissions from VisitScotland, Perth & Kinross Council and an updated response from TACTRAN, COBRA submitted a further response for consideration at the Petitions Committee. Dr. Richard Simpson MSP, a long term supporter of the campaign persuaded the committee to keep the petition open for a further 4 weeks while clarity on transport plans for the 2014 Ryder Cup was sought. COBRA expressed their willingness to participate in the Ryder Cup Transport Planning Group.

26th October 2010 – Petitions Committee Discuss COBRA ePetition
The Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee considered progress with the COBRA campaign at its meeting on 26th October. Dr. Richard Simpson, MSP an ardent supporter of the campaign spoke strongly in its favour and this was supported by a written statement from Elizabeth Smith, MSP. The Committee agreed that the petition should remain open while feedback was sought from Visit Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council on transport planning work for the Ryder Cup 2014 at Gleneagles. The Committee also agreed to keep up pressure on Transport Scotland.

25th October 2010 – Perth & Kinross Access Group Pledge Support
Perth & Kinross Access Group, Perthshire's regional access panel representing the interests of disbaled people and their carers today expressed their strong support for the COBRA campaign. The group acknowledge the key benefit that Blackford Station would bring in providing workable disabled access solutions.

15th October 2010 – COBRA Meets Labour MP and MSP
COBRA today held a constructive meeting with Gordon Banks, MP and Dr. Richard Simpson MSP. The meeting considered the ongoing work of the campaign and identified a range of supporting actions the group could progress as well as preparations for the next ePetitions Committee meeting on 26th October.

3rd May 2010 – Publication of Independent Business Case
COBRA is very pleased to announce the publication of the independent business case into the reopening of Blackford Railway Station. Work on the independent report was undertaken by AECOM, a highly reputable transport consultancy. This involved a detailed review of many existing documentary sources, direct stakeholder interviews, an extensive user survey across all local communities and an analysis of rail-based travel patterns in the area. The report concludes decisively that a reopened Blackford railway station is the most appropriate rail access point for Strathearn and Strathallan and that the outcomes of this report are fully considered by Transport Scotland and TACTRAN as part of the ongoing TERS rail study. Click here to read the Executive Summary or click here to read the full report. Both reports can be downloaded from the Downloads section of the website.

COBRA would again like to thank all those who responded to the residents survey and to those who participated in the various interviews and consultations.

More news on the Survey prize winners soon - watch this space!

20th April 2010 – Petitions Committee Considers COBRA Report
COBRA's Petition to the Scottish Parliament was briefly considered at Holyrood on the afternoon of Tuesday 20 April, during
a meeting of the Petitions Committee. COBRA's position was actively supported at the meeting by Richard Simpson, MSP and Elizabeth Smith, MSP. The Committee agreed to continue the petition while a response from Transport Scotland to the TERS Study was awaited and to allow Transport Scotland to comment on the independent business case recently produced by COBRA.

15th February 2010 – Councillor John Law
COBRA is saddened at the sudden death of Councillor John Law. John was a highly valued member of the COBRA committee and made a strong contribution to the campaign over the last few years. He will be greatly missed and COBRA passes their sincere condolences to his wife Janet and their family.

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.