Scottish Transport Minister comments on Network Rail appearance at Rural Economy Committee

Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands said:

“Network Rail has confirmed that full energisation will enable the first electric passenger services on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High line to run from October 2017. This has inevitably resulted in a knock on impact on the testing, approvals and driver training programme for the new ScotRail Class 385 trains.

“Whilst this delay is extremely disappointing I am pushing Network Rail to fully support and maintain the December 2017 milestone – full electric service on the Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High route with new, faster, longer Class 385 electric trains.

“Network Rail has a critical role to play, working together with ScotRail, to overcome the challenges in the constrained programme for the new train introduction. It is essential lessons are learned from this project so that the efficiency, quality and timeliness of delivery are improved for the next stages in the Scottish Government's ambitious electrification programme.

"This further delay from Network Rail once again reiterates that it simply cannot be right that Scottish taxpayers fund Network Rail to deliver projects but they remain entirely accountable to the UK Government's Department for Transport. I call on those across the Parliamentary chamber to join with me in meaningful dialogue on this agenda.”