MCINNES CALLS FOR RAIL FUNDS TO BENEFIT ALL OF SCOTLAND

12.00.00am GMT Sun 30th Nov 2008

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes has written to the Scottish Government urging Ministers to use some of the franchise return funds to improve rail services outside the central belt, which has recently benefited from Government help.

The Consultation on Initiatives related to the ScotRail Franchise Extension into the Scotrail franchise closes today (Sunday).

Following the re-awarding of the rail franchise to Scotrail, the Scottish Government secured £70 million for reinvestment in further rail services.

Mrs McInnes believes that this money should be spent improving rail links like those between Aberdeen to Inverness or the South of Scotland to Glasgow.

In her letter, Mrs McInnes wrote:

"With much of the Government's recent rail improvements having focused on the central belt, the franchise return funds provide an ideal opportunity to redress the balance. I strongly believe that the resources could most effectively be deployed improving railway services outwith central Scotland, with benefits to be enjoyed across the whole of the country.

"I recognise that finding appropriate transport solutions to meet the differing needs of Scotland's rural and urban areas is a challenge, and there is, of course, fierce competition for infrastructure funding. Investment in measures to improve rail services from, for example, Aberdeen to Inverness, Perth to Edinburgh or the south of Scotland to Glasgow would have a significant impact, however, and would be a real boost to the potentially limited public transport provision in these regions. This would enhance their attractiveness as places in which to live, work and invest and present a reliable and demonstrably attractive alternative to private transport.

"As the consultation recognises, effective rail links are a key component of any integrated transport strategy. I hope you will ensure that links are improved between rail services and ports and airports across Scotland, which would make an important contribution towards achieving a safe, integrated, effective and efficient transport system for Scotland."

Ends.