LABOUR’S SECOND CLASS TICKET FOR SCOTLAND

LABOUR’S SECOND CLASS TICKET FOR SCOTLAND

REPLACEMENT OF AGEING TRAIN FLEET CANCELLED

SNP MP, Mike Weir, has hit out at news Labour is postponing the replacement of ageing trains on the East Coast main line.

In a statement today (Friday) Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, blamed the UK’s debt levels and the coming General Election for the delay. The project should have seen the fleet of 30-year-old trains replaced on the main East Coast line to Scotland and on the Great Western route.

Commenting, Mr Weir said:

“Delaying this renewal will leave Scotland with a second class ticket for travel.

“This is an arterial route, vital for the economy and vital for ease of travel across the border and onto London. It should be an absolute priority to upgrade this service to make travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK as quick and simple as possible.

“Rather than cancelling key investment during troubling financial times, the UK needs to move ahead with capital investment. Shovel ready projects like this are exactly what we need to help the economy back on track.

“This Labour announcement comes hot on the heels of Tory backtracking over the high speed rail link. This service would revolutionise travel between Scotland and England, bringing considerable benefits to the Scottish economy and having a real environmental impact by cutting the number of short haul flights.

“It appears that both Labour and the Tories are absolutely sidelining Scotland in their race number 10. To shirk responsibility and blame an impending election is proof that Labour cares more about votes than about improving services for Scottish people.”