Dundee gaming entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl has said he is “stunned and amazed” bosses created rail electrification plans without giving communities a say.
Network Rail is planning to electrify the line between Aberdeen and Dunblane to cut carbon emissions.
The electric trains will require substantial new infrastructure. Network Rail are planning to demolish scores of bridges over the train line as part of the project.
Those plans have sparked concern in Broughty Ferry and Invergowrie around the changes they could bring.
Broughty Ferry could see the demolition of the crossing at Fort Street under the rail electrification proposal.
That would potentially damage businesses and raise further safety concerns around the use of the level crossing.
Chris said: “I’m stunned and amazed that it has gone so far. I hate to use the phrase, but it almost sounds like they want to railroad us into a decision that has already been made.
“I don’t think that’s good enough.”
Rail electrification could harm Broughty Ferry businesses
Two local authorities published online Network Rail’s request for a screening opinion for the massive project earlier this year.
That is an early stage document that helps to identify any environmental issues ahead of a full planning application.
But the Scottish Government has since renewed its pledge to invest £1.4 billion “to maintain, operate and decarbonise” rail infrastructure.
And parts of the Network Rail document suggest the seven year project could begin as early as 2023.
Chris is one of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs. He focuses on the technology, media, gaming and entertainment sectors. He is co-founder and chairman of Dundee games company 4J Studios. They are best known for developing Minecraft for games console systems.
Chris said the electrification change could become a huge opportunity if handled correctly.
He said communities along the line could use the upcoming changes to spark conversations about how to create better, more integrated local transport links.
But, he added, risks remained around the current plans.
“Inadvertently, they could absolutely destroy economic futures if they do this wrongly,” he added.
Consultation only after rail bosses have ‘a greater degree of certainty’
A Network Rail spokeswoman said proposed electrification of the line between Aberdeen and Dunblane “is at an early stage”.
She said this early work helped to inform “design options, methodology, programme delivery and costs for the wider proposal”.
“Throughout this process we have engaged with the appropriate stakeholders, including Dundee City Council, and we will continue to do so as plans for the project are developed.”
She said the train infrastructure body would fully engage with communities and businesses along the route “when we have a greater degree of certainty”.
“The project will be delivered in a way which minimises impact on local communities and with safety paramount in all aspects of design and delivery,” she added.
“We support active travel initiatives and better transport integration and would be happy to be part of any wider conversations initiated by local stakeholders which would deliver improvements to local public transport networks.”
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