Committee
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee 08 March 2011
08 Mar 2011 · S3 · Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Item of business
Transport (Major Issues)
Are there any financial implications?
In the same item of business
The Convener
Green
Item 2 is a further evidence session with Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and his colleagues Jim Barton and Frances Duffy, on a range...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
I will start by asking about high-speed rail, on which we last heard ministerial evidence in September. Will you update us on how the Scottish Government’s r...
Keith Brown
SNP
Most recently, I had a conversation with the Secretary of State for Transport on this issue. I made it clear to him that, in Scotland’s view, Scotland must b...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
Some time ago, the committee took evidence from campaigners against the proposed third runway at Heathrow airport, who made the point that cancelling the run...
Keith Brown
SNP
I think so, although he has not said as much to me. The issue of a third runway at Heathrow is a matter for the UK Government but, like you, airport operator...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
Like you, I am sure, I noticed that, very recently and in advance of any formal consultation on HS2 construction, Philip Hammond announced more than £200 mil...
Keith Brown
SNP
I think that you have to. I cannot imagine why anyone would spend that kind of money speculatively. I know that certain people in the industry remain sceptic...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
You said that you are pressing the UK minister on end-to-end journey times, which could improve incrementally as each stage of high-speed rail, including HS2...
Keith Brown
SNP
The fact that you have asked the question suggests that there might be, although I am not aware of any. Perhaps Frances Duffy might be better able to answer ...
Frances Duffy
That is a good question and we are pressing HS2 for more detail on—and to carry out more detailed consideration of—how the first phases will link back into t...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
In addition, the UK Government appears to be proposing a Y-shaped network in which high-speed rail on its way to the west side of the country would branch ov...
Frances Duffy
I cannot immediately see a downside. I cannot see the point of introducing high-speed rail if it is going to mean a decrease in service, but we need to press...
Charlie Gordon
Lab
What I have in mind is any trade-off that might not necessarily meet with our approbation. We have already heard that East Coast has made some rather strange...
Frances Duffy
We have recently had a commitment from East Coast that it will continue its throughput of services all the way up the east coast from Edinburgh. One of our c...
The Convener
Green
Would I be right to suggest that, given that the majority of the capacity problems are in the south of the UK, the HS2 proposal offers the possibility of inc...
Frances Duffy
There is a potential for that and we have to make sure that we capture it.
The Convener
Green
I turn to the minister to ask about the relationship with the UK Government. You have indicated that there is an on-going dialogue. Has that been easy to mai...
Keith Brown
SNP
I would be happy to do that. So far, our conversations have been fairly courteous and helpful, although they tend to be quite rushed because we are trying to...
The Convener
Green
As there are no further questions on high-speed rail, we will turn to Network Rail.
Marlyn Glen
Lab
What involvement has the Scottish Government had with the UK Department for Transport and Network Rail on the restructuring of Network Rail?16:15
Keith Brown
SNP
The most recent involvement was a discussion with the secretary of state in which I made clear to him that the forthcoming ScotRail franchise renewal and the...
Frances Duffy
We have had a number of discussions on the proposals at official level, not only with the Department for Transport but with the Office of Rail Regulation and...
Marlyn Glen
Lab
Does the devolution of power to Network Rail’s regions have any policy or financial implications for the Scottish Government?
Keith Brown
SNP
The policy implication is simply that there is more discretion for the route manager—I think that that is the right term; Ron McAulay, from whom you just hea...
Marlyn Glen
Lab
Are there any financial implications?
Keith Brown
SNP
It is the same thing. Financially, Network Rail would be able to move more quickly to agree projects if they had agreement from us. The further devolution wo...
Marlyn Glen
Lab
You talked about how far the devolution of Network Rail could be taken. Would the Scottish Government consider vertical integration of train and infrastructu...
Keith Brown
SNP
In Roy McNulty’s rail value for money study, there was a simple diagram that showed that, the closer we get to vertical integration, the more efficient it be...
Frances Duffy
In the short term, devolving greater accountability to the route manager in Scotland will provide them with an opportunity to work more closely with the fran...
The Convener
Green
I see that there are no further questions on Network Rail. Before we leave railways, I will ask one further question. In written answers, I have been told th...