Government should concentrate on completing unfinished rail projects
Transport Minister Keith Brown's much-trumpeted "big statement" over vital improvements to Scotland's rail network reveals a thin menu of administrative changes achieved at a snail's pace, visibly padded out by re-announcing previous policy intentions already subject to deferral and delay.
Transport Minister Keith Brown's much-trumpeted \"big statement\" over vital improvements to Scotland's rail network reveals a thin menu of administrative changes achieved at a snail's pace, visibly padded out by re-announcing previous policy intentions already subject to deferral and delay.
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This contrasts sadly with ministerial enthusiasm over commuter motorway upgradings now declared more ambitious than previously envisaged ("Rail fare discounts pledge", The Herald, June 22).
Although sensible proposals on integrated multi-modal rail/bus/ferry ticketing, better marketing and selective useful off-peak rail fares reduction (filling otherwise-empty seats) are certainly welcome, they only represent the bare minimum expected of any competent transport policy. Such shouldn't be used to disguise broken promises and the shameful deferral (until 2025) of upgrading and promised 35-minute acceleration of the main Glasgow/Edinburgh-Inverness main line – only achievable by restoration of vital double-track sections and passing loops on this primitive single-track route.
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Government should concentrate on completing unfinished rail projects
Transport Minister Keith Brown's much-trumpeted "big statement" over vital improvements to Scotland's rail network reveals a thin menu of administrative changes achieved at a snail's pace, visibly padded out by re-announcing previous policy intentions already subject to deferral and delay.
This contrasts sadly with ministerial enthusiasm over commuter motorway upgradings now declared more ambitious than previously envisaged ("Rail fare discounts pledge", The Herald, June 22).
Although sensible proposals on integrated multi-modal rail/bus/ferry ticketing, better marketing and selective useful off-peak rail fares reduction (filling otherwise-empty seats) are certainly welcome, they only represent the bare minimum expected of any competent transport policy. Such shouldn't be used to disguise broken promises and the shameful deferral (until 2025) of upgrading and promised 35-minute acceleration of the main Glasgow/Edinburgh-Inverness main line – only achievable by restoration of vital double-track sections and passing loops on this primitive single-track route.
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Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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