Coalition tensions show as Lib Dem and Tory MSPs clash over rail line

Published on Friday 9 July 2010 18:38

THE fault lines underneath the Lib-Con pact were exposed last night after a Lib-Dem MSP issued a fierce attack on a neighbouring Tory colleague, describing him as "stupid" and claiming he should be "ashamed" of his record on local affairs.

The ill-tempered spat broke out yesterday over long-standing plans for a new 300 million rail link to the Borders.

It follows warnings by Berwickshire Tory MSP John Lamont that constructing the new line could end up cutting funding for other road and rail plans in the region.

Mr Lamont has also argued that people in the southern Borders feel they will get little benefit from the costly project, as it will only run as far as Galashiels. With sparse resources available, he fears that other infrastructure projects will suffer as a result.

But his warnings were seized on by Lib-Dem Tweeddale MSP Jeremy Purvis, who launched into a vitriolic attack on his neighbouring MSP, accusing him of "undermining" the plans.

Condemning his "stupid rationale", he said: "He is driving a wedge in the region and he should be ashamed for doing so."

Mr Purvis added: "I am astonished and very angry that such a damaging U-turn has been made to undermine the project."

The bitter spat shines a light on the continuing tensions between the two parties which continue to exist beneath their Westminster coalition pact.

The Conservatives and Liberals are not in coalition at Holyrood and thus free to attack one another at will. Both parties are gearing up for another bruising election contest next May, when the Tories and Lib-Dems will fight against one another in the Scottish Parliament elections.

One of the most keenly fought contests will be Mr Lamont's Berwickshire seat which he won from the Lib-Dems in 2007,

The current row over the Borders link centres on the frustration of many residents in the south of the area who will still have to travel up to Galashiels to go by train to Edinburgh.

Mr Lamont said: "Many people remain unconvinced that the new railway to Galashiels will make much difference to most communities in the Borders particularly since it will not go to Hawick and on to Carlisle.

"The current Scottish Government claims that the Borders Railway project will help the whole of the Borders but I know that many feel that the current proposals will only assist the communities in the central Borders around Galashiels."

He added: "Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that thanks to the dithering and delay of the last Liberal-Labour Scottish Government, the costs of this railway project have continued to spiral upwards.

Yet again the Borders has failed to get any major public transport improvements delivered."

But Mr Purvis shot back: "Mr Lamont says that because some of his constituents won't use the line then it's a waste of money. Doesn't he get the fact that the Borders benefits when the whole region comes together to support priorities."

The row comes after a report by Transport Scotland recently poured doubt on the project's value for money. Estimates for housebuilding and passenger forecasts on the 35-mile route have both been downgraded.

The Transport quango now estimates it will see a 20 per cent return on its investment, well below the 100 per cent return as recommended by the Department of Transport.

However, the Scottish Government has pledged to go ahead with the project, and has recently put the project out to tender. The 300m cost of the programme is thought likely to be saved from the axe because Ministers will not have to meet the up front costs which are instead being met by a consortium of private companies. z