31 May 2013
Highland Main Line 150 celebrations
Transform Scotland have today (Friday 31st) added their voices to those celebrating the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Highland Main Line between Perth and Inverness. This comes ahead of the Civic Reception being held by Highland Council in Inverness this evening.
Paul Tetlaw, Transform Scotland rail campaigner said:
"The year of 1863 was a momentous year for communications in the Highlands. Thanks to the skill and determination of 19th century engineers the Highland Main Line reached north to Inverness. At Transform Scotland we are happy to join others in celebrating this 150th anniversary year of the line.
"However, the latter part of the 20th century has not been kind to Scotland’s railways north of the Central Belt as policy-makers have poured billions of pounds into parallel roads whilst starving the railway of investment. Now, in the 21st century, railways in the UK and around the world are enjoying a rejuvenation, tracks are being improved, electrification is widespread and new high speed lines are being built.
"The Highland Main line remains a largely single track route with passing loops and Victorian era signalling. In contrast, the Scottish Government has now promised to spend a further £3bn on the parallel A9 road. The railway is already uncompetitive with the road and this will further undermine the railway. If the Highlands are to enjoy railway connections fit for the 21st century then a full doubling of the railway combined with electrification is now required.
"We now call on the Government to show the same level of ambition for the railway that it has for the road and to live up to the First Minister’s words of 2008 when he stated that “railways must at least compete with roads”." [1]
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/our-members.aspx> for details.
[2] Alex Salmond was quoted in The Herald on 06/08/08 as saying “Railways must at least compete with the roads": see <http://www.heraldscotland.com/salmond-pledge-to-spell-out-a9-plans-1.886389>.
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