EARL News

UK Railways Bill - On track for greater rail powers for Scotland
posted 25/11/04

The transfer of greater rail powers to Scottish Ministers came a step closer with the introduction of the UK Railways Bill at Westminster today.

The proposed legislation will transfer full responsibility for specifying track and infrastructure improvements, as well as all of First ScotRail's services. The changes are subject to the necessary transfer of funding from the UK Government to the Scottish Executive. This work is ongoing.

The changes proposed are:

• Transfer of the Strategic Rail Authority's powers to manage and monitor the performance of the First ScotRail service, creating a closer relationship between the Executive and First ScotRail
• Sole responsibility for securing future rail franchises
• Power to take long term strategic decisions about future investment for Scottish services
• Power to fund Network Rail in Scotland, specifying the network outputs and the priorities for Network Rail to deliver.

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:" The transfer of these additional powers presents a huge opportunity to make a real difference for Scottish passengers. It will create a simpler, more direct relationship with the rail industry in Scotland and will allow us to put passengers' needs at the heart of future investment." This will be the biggest devolution of extra powers since the creation of the Scottish Parliament and along with the extra funding that will be transferred to Scotland, it gives us a real opportunity to improve Scotland's rail network."

Notes for News Editors

1. The UK Railways Bill follows discussion between DfT and the Scottish Executive as part of the UK rail review as announced by Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling. The subsequent UK white paper was published on July 15 2004. The transfer of relevant statutory powers is expected to come into effect once agreement regarding the transfer of appropriate resources from the UK Government to the Scottish Executive has been reached and after the Bill receives Royal Assent next summer.

2. The Scottish Executive published its white paper Scotland's Transport Future on June 16 2004 which set out proposals for a new national transport agency for Scotland. It is expected that the agency will take on the additional rail powers as outlined today. The agency is expected to come into effect by the end of next year.

For further information, please contact:
Gordon Robertson at Media House, t: 0131 555 1015 or
Jen Johnston at tie Limited, t: 0131 622 8330