19 September 2012
Government urged to make "clear and unequivocal" commitment to national rail schemes
Joint news release from: Scottish Chambers of Commerce & Transform Scotland
Alliance of business and sustainable transport interests join forces to make views known
Scottish Chambers of Commerce [1] and Transform Scotland [2] have today (Wed 19th) joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to rethink its plans to delay rail enhancements. The groups are calling upon the Government to make a "a clear and unequivocal commitment to delivery on electrification of the rail network and other key rail enhancement proposals".
The groups are making this statement in advance of Thursday's announcement of Scottish Budget 2013-14, and ahead of the Parliamentary debate on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. [3]
A joint briefing has been issued to all MSPs: see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/GetFile.aspx?ItemId=590>. In summary, this states that:
* There was wide support for the three major rail projects that the Scottish Government announced in the December 2008 'STPR': (i) Edinburgh - Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) rail electrification, (ii) Highland Main Line enhancements, and (iii) Aberdeen - Inverness enhancements.
* The July 2012 announcement of "re-phasing" of EGIP is of major concern, as is the apparent delay to improvements on the two other routes.
* The Government's decision risks putting Scotland at a serious disadvantage to its competitors. It also compares poorly with the Westminster Government's huge raft of new rail investment across England and Wales.
* Clarity is required from the Scottish Government on when the three schemes will be delivered. The groups urge the Government to think again on these issues and make a clear and unequivocal commitment to delivery on electrification of the rail network and other key rail enhancement proposals within the STPR.
Garry Clark, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
"The Scottish Government's plans for rail electrification and a major programme of investment in our railway infrastructure had the potential to be transformational in terms of the central Scotland rail network and onward links to the North and North East of the country. However with EGIP being scaled back to the bare bones, the potential economic benefits of the project to Scotland may not be fully realised. That is why a rethink on these cuts to rail investment is so badly needed."
Paul Tetlaw, Rail Campaigner at Transform Scotland, said:
"Until recently Scotland was seen to be leading the way in terms of rail investment. In particular the ambitious electrification schemes brought widespread acclaim. Sadly the recent announcements from Westminster and Holyrood have turned that position on its head. Scotland is now retreating from rail enhancement schemes while England and Wales forge ahead. This is bad news for the environment and sends the wrong signals to potential inward investors."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Scottish Chambers of Commerce is the umbrella organisation for 26 local Chambers of Commerce - representing more than 50 percent of private sector jobs in Scotland. See <http://www.scottishchambers.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are> for details.
[2] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups. See <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/our-members.aspx> for details.
[3] Parliamentary debate -- text of Motion
S4M-04165 Elaine Murray: Rail—That the Parliament notes the announcement on 4 July 2012 by the Minister for Transport and Veterans of a revised Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP); believes that this announcement should have been made first to the Parliament rather than via a press release during the summer recess; believes that this reflects the lack of consultation and information available on the revised EGIP; understands that, among the changes, vital elements have been lost, including the cancellation or reduction of the planned electrification of various sections of railway lines, which would have improved journey times and lessened the environmental impact, as part of an overall cut of £350 million; calls on the Scottish Government to confirm who took the final decision to reduce EGIP's budget and explain the rationale behind the changes to the original plans; recognises the concerns that have been expressed by trade unions and the business community regarding the cuts to EGIP and believes that this decision runs counter to the Scottish Government’s stated aim of investing in infrastructure to stimulate the economy and to the SNP’s 2011 manifesto commitment on EGIP, and expresses concern that, as a result of these changes, businesses, passengers and areas will lose out.
[4] Joint briefing
The briefing is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/GetFile.aspx?ItemId=590>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE