Media centre

Friday 25 Aug 2006

STATION CLOSURES NOT ON THE AGENDA

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Passengers using Scotland's 23 least-used stations were reassured by Network Rail today that the company has no plans to close their stations. Reports of planned station closures followed the launch of a consultation document yesterday about the future of Scotland's railways.  Scotland's draft Route Utilisation Strategy unveiled more than 40 options for easing congestion and enhancing the network in Scotland. Route Director, David Simpson, explained: "Our consultation is asking questions and offering more than 40 solutions - but station closures are not among them.  "We're looking for the best way forward for Scotland's railway; we're presenting people with the facts, and asking them their views. The Route Utilisation Strategy that is being co-ordinated by Network Rail has no plans or powers to close stations; it is a factual review of the railway - including station use. "Many stations in Scotland are lightly used, this does NOT imply a threat of closure; on the contrary it often underlines the important role played by the railway in connecting rural communities, especially in Highlands." Far from advocating closure of stations, the trend in Scotland is for growing the railway. Since 1978 a total of 64 stations has opened in Scotland - 13 of these in the past ten years - whilst four have closed, the last one being Errol (Tayside) in 1985.   David Simpson continued: "More than 90% of Scotland's trains have run on time for the past seven months, our railway is enjoying record levels of investment by Network Rail and third parties and this cross-industry review presents more than 40 options for accommodating forecast growth of 30% in the next ten years. Scotland's railway is growing, not shrinking." The consultation on the draft strategy will last for 12 weeks.  Responses will inform further refinement and reassessment of the 40 or so proposed options.  The final document will be published next Spring. Network Rail is leading the cross-industry process to produce the Route Utilisation Strategy for Scotland and is closely involving partners including Transport Scotland and First ScotRail.