Scotland: On track for more rail powers?

Graeme McAulay
Political Reporter, Politics Show Scotland

Scotland looks set to gain more control over its own railways as a result of a root-and-branch review of Britain's rail structure.

Virgin Rail is to bring the Pendolino train onto it's Scottish routes

The UK Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling announced the review last week to sort out what he called the "dog's breakfast" of overlapping responsibilities for the railways.

Since rail privatisation in the mid-90s, Britain's rail network has been controlled by a complex mix of public and private organisations.

Companies like Virgin, GNER and Scotrail run Scottish train services but do not have responsibility for the track or most major stations.

That is the job of Network Rail, the not-for-profit company which took over from Railtrack.

It is Network Rail's job to keep Britain's tracks safe and in good repair.

The Rail Regulator acts as an independent watchdog making sure that these private companies act in the public interest.

Big expansion projects like the West Coast Mainline upgrade are controlled by the Strategic Rail Authority, a government quango set up to provide strategic direction for the railways and encourage better integration of services.

Scottish Executive control?

The Scottish Executive has some control over railways North of the Border.

The Scotrail franchise is awarded under criteria set by the Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, and the Executive can fund their own local projects like the Glasgow and Edinburgh airport rail links and the Borders line.

Alistair Darling wants this simplified and he has made clear he favours handing more power to Holyrood.

His proposals have been met with a luke warm response from the Scottish Transport Minister, who has made it clear that if the Executive is to take on more rail responsibilities, it will need more money from Westminster.

Politics Show

Graeme McAulay gets the views of the some of the major players in Britain's railways on the problems with the network, the reorganisation needed and the case for rail devolution.

Let us know what you think. That is the Politics Show Sunday 01 February at Midday.

The Politics Show - looking at the issues which have hit the headlines.

Tune into the Politics Show Scotland, on BBC One on Sundays at Noon, with reporter Graeme McAulay and presenter Glenn Campbell.

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