PLANS for a #20m railway development linking Glasgow's North Electric

services with the city's South Side are being hampered by moves towards

privatisation, according to a report by Strathclyde Passenger Transport

Executive.

It indicates that while some resources have been made available for

design work, changes within British Rail associated with future

franchising have adversely affected progress.

Responsibility for implementing the planned CrossRail link will fall

within the remit of the new Railtrack organisation from April next year.

However, the SPTE report states: ''The changes are already slowing

progress and are likely to continue being a hindrance in the coming

months.''

Strathclyde's plan is to effect a link between the North Electrics

Line at High Street and the Tron Freight Line, together with the

electrification of the Tron Line from High Street through Shields

junction, and the lines to Paisley.

Strathclyde's chairman of roads and transportation, Councillor Malcolm

Waugh, is already looking ahead to the possibility of creating a link to

Renfrew and Glasgow Airport.