17 August 2009
Welcome for Central Belt Electrification Programme
Welcoming the announcement of plans for electrifying the Edinburgh-Glasgow railway, Paul Tetlaw, Chair of Transform Scotland, said:
"We welcome the programme of enhancements to the rail network in the Central Belt. Given that so many of Scotland's people live in this area it is essential that we have a modern electrified rail network connecting our major cities and their hinterland. Aberdeen inventor Robert Davidson will surely be stirring in his grave at the thought that 167 years after his trial of the world's first electric locomotive we are now finally to electrify the very line upon which it was tested!
"However, this announcement cannot be seen as the end goal if we are to meet the many challenges that the 21st century will pose to our transport systems. We still retain a transport system which is massively dependent on oil as a fuel and this scarce and finite resource must be used much more selectively in the future.
"We now look forward to further announcements on improved rail connections right across the Scottish Inter-City network coupled with a switch to much more sustainable modes within our cities. That means fewer car journeys and more on foot and by bike, bus and tram and real integration between these sustainable modes.
"On the Inter-City routes we hope to see a new generation of 'fit for pupose' electric trains and the cascading of the best of the displaced diesels (the Class 170 trains) to other routes in Scotland. We would particularly like to see a step change in the quality and quantity of rolling stock on our rural routes so that services offered to tourists and locals match the best in Europe."