IF Douglas Ross can provide investment in transport infrastructure, surely that is to be welcomed. He proposes faster links to Aberdeen and Inverness. The 120 miles from Stirling to Aberdeen takes 2hrs 20mins by rail. Italy’s Frecciarossa covers that distance in half the time. But a fast train needs proper investment in tracks.

Network Rail Scotland is, according to the Office of Rail & Road annual report, the worst-performing in the UK by a long way. The ORR scorecard rates performance in Scotland at 43%, while the four regions of England and Wales score an average of 62.5%. 

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Improvements in 2019-20 have meant that 54% of train delays have been due to Network Rail Scotland, which also cut costs by £46 million.

As an MP of the party in government at Westminster, where control of Network Rail resides, Douglas Ross need not achieve a majority at Holyrood to get the stock rolling. He can lobby his colleagues right now and demonstrate his influence to the rail users of Scotland by obtaining the investment he has promised.

George Gourlay
Falkirk