A bigger rail network will keep Scotland on track to success

Published on Tuesday 20 May 2008 09:05

MATCHING our transport infrastructure to people's need and desire to travel is hugely challenging. Getting passengers into public transport and freight off the roads would have benefits to individual and environmental health.

The arrival this week of the Stirling-Alloa link refocuses our attention on the massive contribution of rail and its future potential. Hundreds more people now have access to trains. There will be significant energy savings in delivering coal to Longannet power station, and capacity on the Forth Bridge will be freed up which could double service frequency heading north. Over budget and late? Yes, but worth the wait and the investment.

Nationally we have witnessed growth of rail passenger traffic by 40 per cent in ten years (and nearly 50 per cent for freight). We have passenger numbers not seen since the peak of the mid-1950s. Worryingly it's being achieved on a network 40 per cent smaller than then.

Predictions show 30 per cent growth in the next ten years. Is that doable? A rejuvenated Waverley Station is adequate for present demand, not for that level of growth. With commuter trains from many directions running well over capacity attracting additional folks out of their cars is a tall order. The vast majority of freight needs final delivery by road – but could we get more distance journeys on to rail? The answer is yes, but not without additional capacity.

The network can't run full. There needs to be spare capacity to buffer occasional incidents and breakdowns. Capacity can be grown by improved signalling, but only within limits.

Welcome then other positive initiatives in the pipeline – the Airdrie-Bathgate link, not just a major capacity uplift east-west, but linking new destinations. More services to Edinburgh Park, but isn't it time the fast link stopped there? The Waverley Line offers dormitory support for the Capital by enabling commuters from the Borders. Discussion continues on further electrification (likely) and revitalising the "South Sub" (unlikely).

The sleeping giant of High Speed Rail is waking as a major opportunity for future distance connectivity. Edinburgh council is committed to Edinburgh-London in under three hours.

The principal objection to further investment in rail is cost. But the cost of failing to give us a transport infrastructure fit for purpose for the 21st century will be so much greater. Edinburgh's economy has been a fantastic success story of late. In the global economy connectivity is key to jobs, wealth creation, and keeping our city psychologically in the centre circle of that global marketplace.

Renewing the vitality of our rail network is the best improvement we could make to our economic circulatory system in the foreseeable future.

&#149 Graham Bell is press & policy officer for Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce