Failing rail infrastructure is “holding back progress in Scotland”, a senior MP has said after a report laid bare the performance of Network Rail.
The report, published by the Commons transport committee, concluded that passengers in Scotland were “facing significant disruption” due to issues with rail infrastructure.
Network Rail told the committee that it had commissioned independent experts to review its performance in Scotland and they had recommended a performance improvement plan.
SNP MP Ronnie Cowan, who sits on the committee, told the Press and Journal that the situation was “unacceptable”.
He said: “The SNP has consistently argued that powers over the rail network in Scotland should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
“Until this time, and constrained by inadequate UK legislation, people in Scotland rightly demand that Network Rail deliver and maintain a rail infrastructure that can cope with the effects of extreme weather to keep people on the move.
“Accountability on this issue ultimately lies with the UK Secretary of State for Transport, so it is imperative that the Tory government act now to fix a failing rail infrastructure that is holding back progress in Scotland.”
Highlands MP Jamie Stone, who has recently written to the Scottish Government urging them to strip ScotRail of their franchise, said the service was “simply not good enough”.
He said: “Delays and cancellations occur all too often, services are overcrowded and my constituents tell me of basic amenities being overlooked.
“If they are to deliver on the standard of transport that devolution surely obliges them to, the Scottish Government must ensure ScotRail makes speedy and noticeable improvements and failing that they should cut its contract at the first possible opportunity.”
The committee in its report said that 2019 “looks to be another difficult year” for both passengers and the rail industry, with further significant timetable changes planned, increased amounts of maintenance work and large improvement projects rolling out.
Labour MP Meg Hillier, who chairs the committee, said: “2018 was a year from hell for many rail users and unless the Government gets a grip there is every chance that passengers will suffer in 2019 as well.
“The ‘root and branch’ review will report later in 2019 and must then be implemented, so passengers have some time to wait for any improvements arising from its recommendations.”
