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Inverness Chamber boss joins rail watchdog


By Calum MacLeod

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Stewart Nicol at Inverness Train station...Picture: Callum Mackay..
Stewart Nicol at Inverness Train station...Picture: Callum Mackay..

Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol will ensure the Highlands have a voice on a new stakeholder panel for Scotland's Railway.

Other members of the nine strong panel will include CBI Scotland director Tracy Black, who will take on the role of chairwoman, Disability Equality Scotland chief executive Morven Brooks, Scottish Tourism Alliance chief executive Marc Crothall, Young Scot chief executive Louise Macdonald, and Trisha McAuley, Scotland board member for Transport Focus.

The original stakeholder panel was created in 2015 when the rail franchise was awarded to Abellio. The all new panel will help scrutinise the performance of Scotland’s Railway, as well as bring insight and challenges to its work.

The panel will operate in addition to the regular engagement ScotRail has with businesses and organisations from a wide range of sectors.

The panel will meet three times a year and will focus on a number of themes, including the decarbonisation of the railway, the contribution Scotland’s Railway can make to the economic recovery, and how the railway grows again in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alex Hynes, managing director, Scotland’s Railway, said: “We’re pleased to welcome the new members to the panel, and we look forward to constructive engagement. The support of this senior group representing a broad range of the economy and society in Scotland will better help us to understand how Scotland’s Railway needs to change to make it fit for the future.

“The importance of engaging with stakeholders, gaining valuable feedback and sharing our plans to improve Scotland’s Railway, cannot be underestimated.

“With the significant challenges that the railway faces as we continue to navigate our way through Covid-19, the input and support of our stakeholders will be absolutely vital. The work of the Panel will help to ensure we continue to work in the best interests of customers, businesses, and society.”

New chairwoman Tracy Black added: “I look forward to working with the group to ensure Scotland’s railway continues to deliver for customers, business and society. Infrastructure not only plays a crucial role in helping to move people and goods around Scotland, but is a key component in helping to drive productivity gains and level-up Scotland’s economy.

“Scotland’s railway can also play a vital role in our net zero future by prioritising investment in low and zero carbon transport infrastructure. That will help deliver new green jobs when we need them most, power our post-Covid economic recovery and make huge strides towards meeting Scotland’s ambitious carbon reduction target – especially with the eyes of the world on Scotland as host of the COP26 Summit next year.”


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