Angus councillors have expressed disappointment after two rail stations were overlooked in a £2 million Commonwealth Games refurbishment package.
The Scottish Government has announced that Queen Street low-level, Charing Cross and High Street stations in Glasgow will be refurbished ahead of the 2014 games.
Despite all shooting events at the games being held at Barry Buddon, the “tired” stations serving Barry and nearby Carnoustie did not feature in Nicola Sturgeon’s cash announcement.
Carnoustie Councillor Brian Boyd said it was “most disappointing” and he hoped cash could be freed up to spruce up the stations before next year’s showpiece.
He said: “Just like Carnoustie is, at times, the forgotten burgh within Angus, it does appear that Angus is also being forgotten here.
“As Angus is promoted worldwide as ‘Carnoustie Country’, it would be nice if, when visitors arrive at our train stations, they were regularly given a lick of paint, rather than just when the Open comes to town.
“Carnoustie Development Group are working hard to try and make the town a holiday destination.
“First impressions count so anyone arriving at these stations are in for a bit of a shock, though again our community council do a sterling job trying to make the Carnoustie platforms as attractive as possible with attractive flowerbeds.”
Owned by the Ministry of Defence, Barry Buddon is home to an established full bore firing range which was also used for the Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh in 1986.
The venue, with the addition of international-standard temporary ranges, will provide the opportunity for spectators to experience and witness all competition formats of shooting on the one site.
Fellow Angus Councillor David May said: “I back the fact that the SNP Government have allocated funds to upgrade Glasgow rail stations as for many visitors to the Commonwealth Games the railway station is the first impression they will get of the city.
“However, it is a great pity that both Barry and Carnoustie have not been given an upgrade as these two stations will be the first image visitors who come to Angus will get, when they come for the shooting events at Barry Buddon.”