A LEADING police authority figure has said the Pope should travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow by train during his visit.Allan Falconer, deputy convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority, said the pontiff should take a train from Haymarket to Queen Street on September 16 instead of being driven along the M8, to minimise disruption and policing problems.
The call came as Strahclyde's Chief Constable, Steve House, addressed the authority on the Pope's visit, including plans to bill the Scottish Government for policing costs.
Mr Falconer said: "I'm not talking about the Pope taking a scheduled service from Haymarket, but he could have had a first-class carriage done up for him, like the way the Queen often travels. I would have thought that might be an easier way to transport the Pope."
Mr House said a motorcade was a more flexible means of transportation in the event of any trouble.
The Evening News yesterday revealed that taxpayers would pay a £22,000 bill to spruce up a city street where the Pope is going for lunch.
An 80-metre stretch of road outside Cardinal Keith O'Brien's home in Morningside has been relaid and lampposts have been painted ahead of his visit.
SIC: SMUK