Railway shake-up

Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

I notice that the department for transport’s 31 January press release states: “In line with the recommendations from Richard Brown’s report into rail franchising we are also now consulting on amending the franchising guidelines required by the Railways Act 1993.”

If parliamentary time is to be given to either amend the act, or introduce new statutory instruments, could the Scottish Government be given the right to go for a different not-for-profit contract or franchise?

The Scottish Government’s request was initially turned down, but I believe the Welsh Assembly is now looking at a similar move, so this could be just the moment to advance the issue.

RJ Ardern

Southside Road

Inverness