Direct rail link to London via Dundee to continue
Politicians and business leaders have welcomed a decision not to scrap direct rail links between Dundee and London.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 10.01.11
- Published online : 10.01.11 @ 08.31am
A 2010 review urged the coalition government to end the direct rail service between Aberdeen and London, which stops at Dundee, in order to save money.
Passengers would need to change at Edinburgh if they wanted to continue north. It was warned that this could have dire consequences for the north-east economy and Scots would be left with a second-class rail service.
The Department for Transport-sponsored review had said the "cost and complexity" of bringing in the new dual-fuel engines north of Edinburgh meant forcing passengers to change at Waverley was "better value for money."
However, following the review of the InterCity Express Programme the UK Government has decided to maintain the direct service.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said, "I'm delighted that any threat to the service appears to have been removed. It's absolutely vital that this direct rail service from Dundee and Aberdeen to London is maintained and it would have been unacceptable if journeys had to be broken.
"We saw the difficulties in the recent bad weather when trains stopped at Edinburgh — we wouldn't want that on a permanent basis."
Mike Salter is chairman of Scottish Chambers of Commerce and he said, "We are delighted that the UK transport minister has recognised the need to maintain these direct links between Scotland and England.
"With nearly half of Scottish business, measured by turnover, served by this rail link to the north of the central belt, connectivity with markets is essential."
10.29am - 02.02.2011 mark alliance - manchester , manchester england Report This
well we need a direct rail link from manchester to dundee and a direct flight from manchester to dundee
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