A YEAR ago this paper was celebrating the UK government’s decision to safeguard direct train links between Inverness and London.
Our Save the Chieftain campaign was backed by politicians of all parties, business leaders and the travelling public, who all acknowledged the importance of the service to the region’s economy. An assurance that the status quo would be maintained until a new generation of hybrid electric diesel locomotives was introduced looked to have put the issue to bed for years to come.
We certainly did not expect Scottish ministers to re-open the debate just 12 months later with Transport Scotland’s Rail 2014 Consultation. Published this week, and open for responses until 20th February 2012, the document floats the idea of ending Anglo-Scottish trains at Edinburgh and forcing passengers for Inverness to carry their luggage across Waverley Station and change onto a local service.
The arguments against this are well rehearsed — it is inconvenient, could increase journey times and sends the damaging message that Inverness is a backwater unworthy of a direct train service to the UK capital. It is bewildering that having convinced London politicians of the merit of our case, we should now find ourselves trying to persuade the Scottish government not to treat Inverness as a transport backwater.
Inevitably the proposal is about money. If all passengers are forced to travel between Inverness and Edinburgh on ScotRail services, rather than on East Coast Mainline’s Highland Chieftain, ScotRail will increase its revenue and require a smaller subsidy from the Scottish government. That may suit the bean counters at Holyrood but such a Balkanisation of the rail network would do untold economic damage to Inverness and the wider Highlands. Whether Scotland eventually becomes independent or not, it cannot pull up the drawbridge on transport services and this proposal should be dropped forthwith.
The document’s review of cross-border Sleeper services is more understandable, given the £25 million subsidy they consume, but must also come to the conclusion that the overnight service between London and Inverness is a key part of our transport infrastructure. Indeed, with better marketing and keener pricing, it has the potential to play an even greater role — what other service can deliver you to central London in time for a 9am meeting without the requirement of either an early start or an expensive overnight stay?
Today we launch a Save our Trains campaign to see off this double threat. We have emerged victorious once and are confident that, with your help, we can do so again.
