SNP demand U-turn over £1 billion cut to rail investment

The SNP has demanded the UK Government U-turn over plans to cut rail investment by £1 billion.

The SNP have demanded the UK Government U-turn over plans to cut rail investment by £1 billion.

Gavin Newlands MP has now written to the UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stressing the importance of funding the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

In a letter to Mr Shapps, the Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP also questioned why the move to cut funding had not been announced to MPs in the Commons.

He said: “Given the fanfare with which the National Infrastructure Strategy was announced last week, it is extremely disappointing to discover that within a matter of days, investment in critical national infrastructure is being slashed by just under 10 per cent.

“It was also disappointing that this substantial reduction in funding was announced via an answer to a Written Parliamentary Question, rather than being announced to the House.

“Indeed my colleague Steven Bonnar MP specifically raised rail electrification with you at departmental questions and no reference was made to these cuts in funding.”

Speaking today, the SNP shadow transport secretary stressed the importance of investment in rail infrastructure to tackle carbon emissions.

He said: “Decarbonisation is referred to no less than 58 times in the National Infrastructure Strategy - and the UK Government claims it is a priority on the run up to COP26, which will be held in Glasgow next year.

“It is therefore difficult to reconcile the obvious damage that will be caused to Network Rail’s electrification programme in Scotland and across the UK by such a devastating cut – especially when reducing the use of diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units are essential in reducing carbon emissions.

“Rail electrification is one of the best options for decarbonisation, and Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government’s record on rolling it out speaks for itself.

“This huge cut will damage Scotland and the UK’s decarbonisation agenda, as well as reduce the scope for substantial improvement in service provision and passenger satisfaction that electrification allows.

“If the UK Government is serious about tackling carbon emissions, then it must reinstate the £1bn to the pipeline without delay.”

Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris revealed in a parliamentary answer last week the budget for rail enhancements from 2019-24 had been adjusted to £9.4bn following the Spending Review.

No detail has been provided on whether any projects will be scrapped as a result of the cut, but a Network Rail spokesperson has confirmed it is now "reviewing" its portfolio.

Speaking after the cuts were revealed, Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan suggested the move would slow down the speed of trains getting back to normal.

He said: “Recent confirmation, following the Spending Review, that rail enhancements investment will reduce by more than £1bn over the current five-year funding period, is very disappointing.

"Rail enhancements are essential in ensuring our rail network is fit for the future, improving reliability, connectivity, customer experience and helping to reduce carbon emissions.

"Taking our foot off the pedal now on rail investment will not help for when passengers return following the coronavirus pandemic.”

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