Nationalising ScotRail ‘would not make trains run on time’, think tank says

The debate over whether ScotRail should be nationalised is a “meaningless distraction'' from the “fundamental'' problems on Scotland's railways, a former transport minister has said.

Tom Harris, who served a junior transport minister in Tony Blair's government, spoke out as a new report by the think tank Reform Scotland called for the infrastructure body Network Rail to be devolved in Scotland.

Network Rail, which is already a public sector body, was responsible for more than half the rail delays north of the border in the last year, Mr Harris said.

The former Labour MP, who is a member of the Reform Scotland Advisory Board, said it was “logical'' that Holyrood could do a better job of running rail infrastructure in Scotland than Westminster.

Meanwhile Reform Scotland said: “There needs to be a realisation that simply bringing ScotRail into public ownership would not make the trains run on time.''

The think tank said “the majority of delays on ScotRail trains are attributed to Network Rail, whether as a result of operations, infrastructure or other external issues'', adding this meant 54% of delays to ScotRail trains in the year to November 11 were “as a result of a body already within the public sector''.

It added: “Instead of arguing over who runs ScotRail, Reform Scotland thinks the focus of the debate around the rail network should be on Scotland's poor rail connectivity; on our lack of electrification; and moving away from the obsession of cutting train times to London, when it can take longer to travel far shorter distances within Scotland.''

Calling for rail infrastructure to be devolved, the report said: “Although the Scottish Government is responsible for providing the strategic direction and funding for the Scottish rail network, ultimately Network Rail is a UK body answerable to the UK Government.

“Reform Scotland believes that responsibility for the Scottish route should transfer to a new body directly responsible to, and answerable to, the Scottish Government.''

In addition to this the think tank wants a Scottish Rail Infrastructure Commission to be set up to look at the future of rail services.

The report said: “In 30 years' time, do we want to be in a situation where it could take less time to reach London by rail from Edinburgh than it does to reach Inverness?

“What about links between Dumfries and Galloway and Edinburgh? Or Glasgow crossrail, or Edinburgh and Glasgow airport rail links?

“Reform Scotland is not saying that the Scottish Government should definitely create a new high speed line to the north, or improve links to major towns in the Borders, or introduce other new lines.

“But we are calling on the Scottish Government to look at these options as part of a wide-ranging commission, to examine what is possible, what the costs would be and, most importantly, what benefits such transformational change could bring.''

Mr Harris stated: “There has been almost constant discussion about nationalising ScotRail for years, and it continues unabated.

“But it is a meaningless distraction.

“ScotRail is responsible for only around one-third of the delays on the railways, whereas over half are down to Network Rail, the public body responsible already nationalised railways.

“What would be interesting to explore is whether the Scottish Government could do a better job of running Scotland's railway infrastructure than the Westminster Government.

“It is logical that this could be the case, which is why Reform Scotland is calling for Network Rail to be devolved.

“Scotland's rail problems are more fundamental than the current debate would suggest.

“In 30 years' time, do we really want to be in a situation where it could take less time to reach London by rail from Edinburgh than it does to reach Inverness?

“While rail links to London are important, so too are links within Scotland, links which are sadly lacking at present.

“What we really need is a strategic and forward-looking Scottish Rail Infrastructure Commission which would decide what our railways need to offer our people in 2050, and should look at what transformational change is needed to help improve connectivity and grow our economy.''

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said Transport Minister Humza Yousaf had already “stated his position that there is an accountability gap where, despite being in receipt of significant public resources, Network Rail Scotland is not directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament''.

She added: “Greater devolution and better governance arrangements for Network Rail in Scotland will increase efficiency and improve accountability.

“This is a necessity as we move towards a system of grant based funding from 2019 onwards.

“Consideration is currently being given to the suitability of a range of existing public bodies to bid for a rail franchise and the steps required to create a new public sector body, if it is necessary to do so.

“The Minister for Transport & the Islands will make an announcement on the desirability of creating a new public body in 2018.''

ends

Network Rail assumes responsibility for all delays caused by external events such as adverse weather, trespass, vandalism and vehicles striking bridges.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We work closely with the Scottish and UK governments to continually enhance and improve our railways.

“Here in Scotland, we are seeing a period of enhancement and expansion unmatched since the Victorian era with huge investment being delivered to increase capacity, improve passenger facilities and introduce new trains.

“Any discussions over further devolution of Network Rail in Scotland would be a matter for the two governments to discuss.'