Kennedy wake-up call to Government over sleeper (Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats <anne.carmichael@btinternet.com>

Kennedy wake-up call to Government over sleeper

February 9, 2009 12:42 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Ross, Skye & Lochaber MP Charles Kennedy is calling on the Secretary of State for Scotland to help secure the future of the sleeper service linking London with Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The service run by the First Scotrail franchise operates using British Rail Mark III rolling stock which has been in service since the 1970s. Although just over £1million was spent on a refurbishment programme as part of the original Scotrail franchise, the £2.5 billion extension recently signed off by the Scottish Government contains no provision for the sleeper.

Mr Kennedy says the long term future of the service depends on a deal to replace the 30-year-old rolling stock with carriages which meet modern safety and accessibility standards. The move would enable a big boost to marketing of the link for tourist use.

Mr Kennedy said:

"The sleeper remains a unique and vital direct link from the UK capital to communities across the north of Scotland.

"Businesspeople can make a journey which would otherwise take all day without losing an hour of working time. Visitors can fall asleep in central London and wake up amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands.

"Despite the unparalleled service which it provides to passengers, the sleeper has long been unloved by governments and rail operators. As we set about the important goal of lowering our carbon emissions without cutting economically vital transport connections, its potential becomes even clearer."

The MP wants the Scottish Government to commit to a sustained investment programme to replace sleeper carriages through the £70 million dividend of the franchise extension. He says the UK Government could help by contributing to the cross-border link.

"We need a UK transport policy that recognises the importance of direct links to Scotland which reach beyond the Central Belt.

"Long term investment and imaginative marketing could secure the sleeper as a permanent and prospering fixture of our transport network and a growing contributor to our tourist industry.

"This is a key positive step that the UK and Scottish Governments should be working together to deliver. By contrast, if Ministers starve the sleeper of investment, passenger numbers will suffer and the withdrawal of the service altogether could creep back on to the agenda."

Notes:

Mr Kennedy will this week table questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland seeking UK Government support for the long term future of the sleeper service which connects London with Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Caledonian Sleeper consists of British Rail Mark III carriages which were built between 1975 and 1988.

As part of First ScotRail's recent franchise extension, the Scottish Government received £70million to spend across the rail network, but no money has yet been committed to the sleeper.