Lib Dems - North East forgotten in rail negotiations

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Apr 2008

Responding to a question from local MSP Alison McInnes at First Minister's questions today, Alex Salmond was unable to identify a single rail improvement or benefit for the North East of Scotland that had been secured during the negotiations over extension to the First ScotRail franchise.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said: "Alex Salmond is letting down the people of Gordon and the region as a whole. The people of the North East have been campaigning for a commuter rail service from Inverurie to Stonehaven for some time now, but the Government continues to ignore these calls.

"I am appalled that the Government can commit to spending an additional £800m of public money on this extended rail contract while still bringing no discernible improvements to train services in the North East."

MP for Gordon Malcolm Bruce added: "Now the SNP have allowed the completion date for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route to slip to 2013 it is even more important to invest in rail services, or congestion for commuters will become unbearable.

"Over the next couple of years, the North East is expected to experience the highest level of population growth in Scotland. The business case for improved rail services has already been made - now it is time to take action.