Transport spending on London triple that of Midlands


Consultation on ScotRail future proposes splitting franchise


by Arthur Allan


Steeper fare rises and a fragmentation of the ScotRail franchise are among the prospects raised in a consultation on the future of the Scottish network. The document reveals that the government is considering hiving off some services, including the Caledonian Sleeper service, into separate franchises.


It also asks for views on dividing ScotRail services into a ‘dual focus’ franchise. The specification would be different depending on whether the service was an ‘economic’ line, such as a main commuter route, or


‘social’ rail serving rural areas. Higher fares to reduce subsidy are raised as an option. Regulated fares currently rise annually by RPI + 1 in Scotland. ‘We have estimated that rail demand and revenue would continue to grow for fares increases of up to RPI + 3,’ says Transport Scotland.


The document also floats the


prospect of making the Scottish franchisee responsible for cross- border services beyond Edinburgh. This would mean passengers from England having to change trains to travel further north.


The government says it is not proposing to reduce the number


of stations in Scotland, but is considering relocating some stations. It seeks views on ‘which current stations are no longer required’. The consultation has stirred


controversy. Scottish Labour condemned its ‘crackpot’ ideas, while the RMT said the franchise proposals would see ScotRail being ‘busted apart’ for private exploitation.


First Minister Alex Salmond insisted it was merely ‘a document of options’. Ministers will publish their views after the consultation ends in March.


n arthur.allan@railpro.co.uk


Driver remembered as Thameslink sidings open n


New five road sidings built specifically to handle the


first 12-car class 377 Electrostar trains on First Capital Connect’s Thameslink service have been officially opened at Bedford for the start of the timetable on 12 December.


But this was no ordinary


unveiling. They were named Jowett Sidings, after a former long serving employee, Rodney Jowett, who began as a railway cleaner, ending his career as senior driving instructor when he retired in 2000, and died from cancer three years later.


Before his widow Shirley unveiled the plaque, First Capital Connect managing director Neal Lawson emphasised it was due to the combined efforts of his company, the DfT, Network Rail


and Carillon Rail. He said: ‘To name these sidings in memory of Rodney was the right thing to do. He was a railwayman through and through and a true gentleman, which makes him an inspiration to us all.


‘These sidings give us the


capability to operate our first ever 50 per cent longer trains. We’ll have three in the morning and three in the evening to begin with, but many more will arrive with the new fleet of trains in 2015.’


There is now more of a regional divide in transport spending across England than ever, with London getting three times as much as the Midlands, according to new Treasury figures. Analysis by the Passenger


Transport Executive Group found that spending on transport in London for the year 2010-11 was equivalent to £774 per person, as opposed to £242 for the West Midlands, £255 for the north east, £337 for the north west and £276 for Yorkshire and Humberside. PTEG says this is ‘a


relatively recent phenomenon’ and not the historic norm. Public spending on areas such as education and health do not echo this disparity.


Part of the imbalance is


caused by Crossrail, which is currently the largest civil engineering project in Europe. Chair of PTEG, Geoff Inskip


said: ‘We fully accept that London needs and deserves high-quality public transport. The transformation of the capital’s transport system in recent years has been a fantastic achievement: London Overground, Oyster cards, the central London hire bike scheme, the overhaul of the tube – the list goes on and on. ‘However, if we are going to


rebalance the economy then we need the right balance on transport spending. Our major regional cities are economic powerhouses; a greater level of transport investment is needed in cities like Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Birmingham, if we are to tackle imbalances in the national economy and, by doing so, ensure that the whole country can fulfil its economic potential.’


DECEMBER 2011 PAGE 9


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