[A-List] UK state: constitutional mess

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

London request sparks row over who controls Scottish railways
RICHARD ALLAN
The Herald, 12 February 2003

A ROW has broken out over who controls Scotland's railways after ScotRail
was asked by a London-based authority to look at withdrawing poorly
performing train services.

Industry sources accused the Strategic Rail Authority of arrogance and a
failure to understand the devolution settlement after it confirmed it had
told ScotRail to look at cuts.

It has raised huge concern, and provoked anger, because the Scottish
Executive, not the London-based SRA, is in charge of funding ScotRail and
telling it which services to run, and services in the west of Scotland are
specified and funded by Strathclyde Passenger Transport. SPT said it had not
been consulted or told about the request to ScotRail.

A source said: "It underlines their arrogance and ignorance towards
devolution and how the railway is funded in Scotland."

The SRA said it had told ScotRail to examine cutbacks as part of a
nationwide review. "Every train operator, including ScotRail, would have
been asked in terms of ideas where performance could be im-proved . . . they
were asked to highlight the poorer performing services." However, it is
understood ScotRail will not have to reduce services in the latest SRA
review. One source said Iain Gray, the transport minister, was powerful
enough to resist any cuts.

ScotRail said it could not confirm or deny any SRA request because of its
franchise agreement. The executive said the SRA had asked National Express
Group, which holds the ScotRail franchise until April 2004, to look at cost
savings in general.

The role of the SRA in Scotland is expected to be raised at meetings next
week involving Richard Bowker, SRA chairman, MSPs, senior executive
officials, and SPT members.

ScotRail also revealed plans for 50 more services to extend the summer
season on the West Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William, Mallaig and
Oban, with additional weekend services running from March to October.