Politicians and business leaders in Dundee have called on the UK government to rethink plans to end a direct rail link between London and Aberdeen.
It has emerged the UK Government is considering axing the direct link to save money.
Plans to upgrade the line and replace diesel trains with faster electric models were put on hold in February amid funding difficulties.
Former Audit Commission chairman Sir Andrew Foster, who was reviewing the deal for the government, suggested stopping the electric services at Edinburgh could save tens of millions of pounds.
After a “passenger-friendly train change” in Edinburgh, passengers heading further north would go by diesel to Fife, Dundee and beyond.
His report states, “Some significant long-distance destinations (Aberdeen, Inverness and Carmarthen) are served by lines which are not, and may never be, electrified and therefore require diesel propulsion” and such routes would be best served by “high-quality connecting trains rather than through services.”
He said a commitment that connecting services would not leave without all passengers would be needed to make the system work.
Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson said it would be “unacceptable” for the UK government to follow the recommendations.
“It is not acceptable that the department of transport go ahead with the intercity express programme while ignoring the realities of delivering cross-border services to Aberdeen and Inverness.
“We already face the end of services from Glasgow to King’s Cross next year, and further cuts to cross-border services are unacceptable.”‘Not a positive step’Alan Mitchell, chief executive of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said, “I don’t think this is a positive step at all. Obviously, transport infrastructure is important to any region to maximise its potential to grow the economy and attract visitors.
“We don’t want a high-speed link from England to the central belt and a second class infrastructure in the rest of the country. This area needs the investment to the same degree as the rest of the country. Any government that cuts back on transport infrastructure will do long-term damage.
“The Government has to look how it spends its money, but transport infrastructure, broadband and things like that are vital to sustain the economy in the long-term.”
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern, who has campaigned for improvements to Dundee station, said, “I am extremely disappointed by this decision. I have read the report about the problems Scotland would face in updating its rail services.
“However, I believe a first class rail service direct from Scottish cities to London is a vital aim that should not be abandoned by this government. Yet again we see decisions made by this coalition not to invest in vital infrastructure and not to honour their manifesto commitment to support business.
“At a time of economic strain, when the best thing we can do is invest in vital services, the coalition has again failed to act correctly. I find Sir Andrew’s conclusion that ‘passenger-friendly changes’ are the best way forward to be highly unsatisfactory. What could be more ‘passenger friendly’ then staying on a direct train? What Scotland needs is world-class rail services under these plans they will not be met.”
He continued, “I will be writing to the transport secretary of state, Phillip Hammond, to outline my concerns and I will ask for a meeting when parliament returns in September.”
North-east politicians may come back from their holidays to a mailbag of constituency concerns about the possible cuts to direct rail services to London. Many could not be contacted yesterday, but Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville said the current service should be maintained.
“As someone who uses the east coast service regularly I find it is excellent and never empty. It seems like cutting off part of Scotland to easy access to the UK capital. In these difficult times difficult decisions have to be made, but I would hope this is not one of them.
“It is a vital link for the North Sea oil and gas industry. Any cuts will not help David Cameron strengthen his government’s relationship with Scotland.”
Photo courtesy of Stewart Lloyd-Jones.