Disappointing News for Dundee and Broughty Ferry from Network Rail

Network Rail has just published its UK business plan for 2014 to 2019 which it has sent to to Rail Regulator for approval. 

The plan proposes to invest £4 billion over the five year period in Scotland on improving the rail infrastructure  such as track, bridges and new stations.

Priorities in Scotland, set by the Scottish Government, include electrifying the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and completing the Borders rail link.

Unfortunately this means that the extension of the electrification of the East Coast mainline from Edinburgh to Aberdeen does not appear as a priority in the plans for 2014-19. 

It is positive that the future of through trains has been secured on the London Kings Cross to Aberdeen East Coast mainline route by the ordering of replacement 'bi-mode trains' with underfloor diesel engines to operate on non-electrified routes.  But the lack of ambition in the electrification programme on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen route is a disappointment. 

The future of rail services is an important practical issue for Dundee rail passengers. It is also a strategic issue for the City as we anticipate a significant  growth in tourists when the VandA opens in Dundee.

Gordon Wilson Agrees with my Criticism of SNP Government's Rail Strategy

I agree with Gordon.

In the Courier yesterday I noticed a prominent article drawing attention to the “embarrassing failure” of the Scottish Government’s Rail 2016 Strategy currently out for consultation. These withering words were from our former MP for Dundee East, the SNP's own Gordon Wilson.

I am pleased he has followed my lead in pointing out the disadvantages of this strategy for Dundee rail travellers. Read my concerns published on 23^rd November 2011.

More specifically, he says in his formal response to the Scottish Government's consultation, that the immediate priority is ensuring that East Coast trains from London continue through Fife, Dundee and Angus to Aberdeen. It is proposed that the services could terminate in Edinburgh with ScotRail taking over the rest of the journey north.
''This will leave Aberdeen and intermediate station passengers, laden with luggage for long-distance journeys, forced to travel in ScotRail's inadequate rolling stock and having to change trains and platforms in Edinburgh,''
''This will be a nightmare for families with young children, the elderly and disabled. It also downgrades the status of Aberdeen and Dundee within the transport network.”
''One would have thought that Transport Scotland would have been alive to the difficulties likely to be faced by travellers from Aberdeen, Dundee and Fife — all heavily populated areas — and would have argued the case for retention of the service.” "Instead, the contrary is true. The paper opens the gate to loss of the direct London service.”
"The service from Aberdeen gathers passengers at intermediate points like Montrose, Arbroath, Dundee and Fife. They are entitled to have their travelling interests considered by Scotland's transport agency when it formulates policy.'
Hear hear!
If like me and Gordon you think we should "hang on to what we've got" send in your response to the consultation - the closing date for responses is 20 February 2012. More information is available from the Scottish Government.

East Coast Train Journey From Dundee - Let's Hang on To What We've Got

On Monday I took the 09:06 East Coast London train from Dundee station. On the train, I was delighted to meet my Labour colleague Marlyn Glen, the former MSP for North East Scotland. I was going  to Edinburgh but, like many of the folk who got on the train with their cases, Marlyn was travelling down to London.


When I am travelling by rail to a destination beyond Edinburgh, I always look to see whether there is a long distance through train to save me changing trains on the way. I also value the East Coast 125 express services as they usually have shorter journey times to Edinburgh. Additionally, I prefer the layout in their carriages with plenty of tables to sit and read my paper at or to plug in my notebook computer.


These through trains are also a boon to folk struggling with their holiday luggage or parents and carers with children and push chairs. 

I am sure many residents in Dundee value East Coast, Cross Country and Caledonian Sleeper long distance train services that run to and from Dundee. If the SNP government's proposal for the future of rail services in Scotland goes ahead, we would be left stranded in Dundee with just slower shuttle train services south and a compulsory change of train at Edinburgh. 

If like me you think we should "hang on the what we've got" join the campaign for a rethink on these issues and register your support with the Scottish Labour campaign.