CONTROVERSIAL plans to merge British Transport Police with Police Scotland have come under fire from the group that represents both the UK's train operators and the rail infrastructure owner.
Integrating the service is not in the interests of passengers, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) warned, in what will be seen as a blow to the Scottish Government's shake-up.
The RDG, whose members include train companies such as ScotRail and Virgin Trains, believe British Transport Police (BTP) works efficiently and does not need to be replaced.
Ministers at Holyrood have put forward legislation that, if passed, would give power over railway policing to the force and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) watchdog.
Unions and opposition parties have already said that the plan will create inconsistencies for passengers who make cross-border journeys.
The legislation has also has sparked concerns that BTP officers could be taken from their duties to bolster Police Scotland, and affect public safety on the railways.
An RDG spokesperson voiced the concerns of its members – who also include rail infrastructure owner Network Rail – that the change was unnecessary.
The RDG also echoed calls from transport police deputy chief constable Adrian Hancock for a new Transport Police Scotland to be considered instead of the force being absorbed into Police Scotland.
The RDG spokesperson said: “Passenger safety and security are a top priority for rail companies who are working with governments north and south of the border to address the challenges posed by the devolution of transport policing.
“Some train operators are of the view that the transfer of transport policing away from the British Transport Police, which is a specialist transport police force, is not the best way to serve the interests of the travelling public. The British Transport Police and its authority have jointly set out alternative proposals which those operators believe should be considered.”
Andy McDonald, Labour's UK shadow transport secretary, also stepped into the row, claimed the SNP Government's plans would harm passenger safety with the loss of specialist BTP officers.
He said: "It is becoming clear that there is growing concern from all quarters of the railways industry over the SNP’s plan to abolish British Transport Police in Scotland.
"The British Transport Police are well suited to dealing with incidents on our railways in a way that keeps passengers safe and services running smoothly. Similar proposals in London to merge the Metropolitan Police with the British Transport Police were rejected with good reason.
"We already have a system that works and serves us well and this move would risk the expertise that is central to the cross-border nature of the transport police."
Unions such as the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), has already warned strikes were possible if ministers pressed ahead with the merger.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said that merging the BTP in Scotland with the country's "troubled" police force could spark "big delays" for travellers and hit rail firms in the pocket.
The union leader restated his call to Nicola Sturgeon, her transport minister Humza Yousaf and justice secretary Michael Matheson to scrap the plan. He said: "No-one involved in the rail industry wants this merger.
"The BTP don't want it, the BTP Federation don't want it, rail unions don't want it and rail company bosses need to come clean with the public because they are said not to be in favour of it either.
"UK cross-border rail safety is way too important to be reduced to a devolution issue. Scottish Labour don't want it, Scottish Tories don't want it."
However, a Scottish Government spokesperson, defending the merger, insisted that public safety would not be compromised by the change.
A spokesperson said: “As Police Scotland have made clear, specialist railway policing expertise and capacity will be maintained and protected within the broader structure of Police Scotland, with improved access to wider support facilities and specialist equipment.”
“Devolution of BTP was recommended by the Smith Commission, reached through cross-party agreement and integration will also ensure railway policing is fully accountable to the Scottish Parliament.”
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