UK transport minister Theresa Villiers was challenged last night to explain how she can keep a promise to maintain direct east coast mainline connections from London to the north and north-east while still saving on the cost of badly-needed new express trains.
Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran and Angus SNP MP Mike Weir demanded Ms Villiers clarify how she plans to continue the three-trains-a-day, each-way service without forcing passengers to transfer from new electric expresses in Edinburgh onto less comfortable and slower carriages operated by Scot-Rail to travel to Aberdeen or Inverness.
The prospect was raised in a report on the Intercity Express Programme by Sir Andrew Foster and fuelled by rivalry between a consortium led by Hitachi, which has been named preferred supplier, and another led by Bombardier, which came second.
One report, not confirmed by either, suggests Hitachi secured the deal by offering a cheaper solution, using new trains but terminating the service in Edinburgh, where the electrified rail line stops.
Another claims Hitachi plans to hitch diesel engines on to the front of electric expresses in Edinburgh to haul them the rest of the way north.
Mr Doran said new stock and major improvements to the track after years of neglect would be preferable. “What is essential for us in the north-east is to maintain direct links with London.”
He said he welcomed Ms Villiers’s statement, but added: “I want to be satisfied that the means are in place to achieve it.”
Mr Weir said: “The danger is that the trains will not be upgraded and we fail to get faster services to attract more people away from flying, and without improved line speeds that is not going to happen.
“We could end up with old rolling stock and inevitable breakdowns as a result of failing to tackle the need for faster rail travel now.
“I am calling on Ms Villiers to explain what is going on.”
Uncertainty remained over the IEP project last week after Chancellor George Osborne said key decisions had still to be taken.
In a statement, Ms Villiers said it had become clear how popular the direct links were for tourist and business users. “There are no plans to withdraw these services,” she said.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, regional transport partnerships Hitrans and Nestrans, and councils are opposed to axeing direct train services to the north and north-east.