Scotland on track for better train services

14 Jan 2002

Scotland’s rail passengers will benefit from improvements to the national railway network outlined in the Strategic Rail Authority’s Strategic Plan, Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said today.

Commenting on proposals published today in the Rail Strategy to improve Scotland’s internal and cross-border links, Mrs Liddell said:

"The SRA has identified and prioritised many improvements which will benefit passengers and freight customers throughout Scotland.

"The Government, the Scottish Government and the SRA can now start delivering the real improvements to rail services which will tackle overcrowding, open up new travel opportunities, and help get traffic off the roads.

"Visitors – and regular travellers – to and from Scotland will welcome new station facilities, new trains and more frequent services on the West Coast Main Line by 2005, and can look froward to an upgrade of the East Coast Main Line by 2010.

"Passengers will also see many benefits to their journeys within Scotland in the near future, including completion of the New Train Protection and Warning System by 2003.

"But the improvements don’t stop there. The SRA also sets out a plan for longer-term improvements, running through to 2010. Edinburgh Waverley station should receive a £400m development, allowing more commuter and long distance trains operate, and providing better passenger facilities.

"Businesses and freight shippers will welcome an upgrade in freight routes from Felixstowe and Southampton to Scotland via the West Coast Main Line to take larger containers off the roads.

"I also welcome the SRA’s readiness to consider direct rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. I attach great importance to improving Scotland’s domestic and international air links, and rail connections to our major airports will make air travel much more accessible."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Strategic Plan was launched today by the Strategic Rail Authority. Further details can be obtained from their website www.sra.gov.uk.

2. The Plan sets out changes required by 2010 to meet the Government’s targets for rail included in the Ten Year Transport Plan. These are:

  • 50% increase in passenger kilometres
  • Reduction in overcrowding which breaches SRAs targets
  • 80% increase in freight tonne-kilometres

3. The Strategic Plan sets out a clear long term vision for rail in Britain where:

  • sufficient trains run with sufficient frequency to meet growing passenger demand

  • performance is better and stable so that passengers and freight users can plan with confidence
  • the whole journey experience is radically better so that from departure door to destination door, the passenger is treated like the valuable customer they are
  • the stations are safe and welcoming with adequate parking and integration of other modes
  • the staff are attentive and helpful, the trains reliable and clean, the journey predictable and relaxing
  • overall a safe, reliable and value for money product, irrespective of which part of the country one happens to live in.

4. The plans for Scotland’s railway are designed to contribute to the delivery of the Scottish Government ‘Strategic Priorities for Scotland’s Railways’ and to meet the standard of good European practice while offering value for money to customers and to the taxpayer.