Holyrood takes charge of rail projects

Published on 24/11/2004 12:17

CRUCIAL rail projects are set to have their path smoothed by the transfer of more powers from Westminster to Holyrood.

Yesterday’s Queen’s Speech included proposals to give greater responsibility for Scotland’s railways to the Scottish Executive.

The move means schemes like the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link and the redevelopment of Waverley Station will no longer be dependent on the backing of rail authorities in England.

Executive sources said the key issue now was ensuring Scotland also got the finance for the schemes. "The transfer of funding is still being negotiated," said one source. "And that’s what it all depends on. There’s not much point in having the extra powers unless we get the money too."

The Executive hopes the transfer of funding will be settled within the next two months.

Some Scots rail projects have been an Executive responsibility since devolution, but the Strategic Rail Authority had a stake in the airport rail link and Waverley because of their significance to the UK rail network.