Highlands railway service not fit for the 21st Century
I have to agree with the points Andrew McCracken has raised about the quality of rolling stock in use by Scotrail on the Highland Main Line.
I often use the service back and forth between Badenoch and Aberdeen, and usually try to plan my journey around when an Intercity 7 train is due.
At least these have a bit of luggage space and some catering.
I am filled with dread when I see a Class 158 Sprinter or Class 170 Turbostar sitting at the platform.
The Turbostars have little luggage capacity, which at least the Sprinters are a little better for.
The Turbostar has 1st Class seating at both ends but nowhere for people to put luggage at all.
This rolling stock was never meant to be for long distance journies between cities, but more for short commuter services.
A journey between Badenoch and Aberdeen takes around four hours by rail, and on these types of train, I’m often left feeling deafened and bone shaken by the end of the trip.
I have every sympathy for those using these trains on the Fort William / Mallaig, Kyle of Lochalsh, Oban and the Far North lines.
I suspect that we are left with these due to the lack of electrification north of Dunblane, and will be for some time to come, but come on Scotrail, try and minimise their use on Intercity journeys.
If you insist on using them, try and make them more user friendly, like making catering more available or removing some seats for more baggage space, as in the tourist season, it is usually impossible to store bags on luggage racks if you join at an intermediate station.
At the moment when prices are going up and service quality is going down, it’s time that the Scottish Government pulled its finger out to improve the service for everybody in the Highlands and stop pandering to the Central Belt.
They will never get people off the road and onto trains if they don’t provide a better quality service.
We have little enough alternative here, so at least make an effort to provide us with a service fit for the 21st Century.
Scott Secker
Kingussie.
* * *
Scotland can not afford to miss out on this second golden opportunity
With world interest in all Scottish renewable power projects, it seems the devolution settlement prevents Holyrood from setting up its own energy company, for this new bonanza.
It was 50 years ago that the UK McCrone Report was published. In one section it pointed out that North Sea oil and gas could have made Scotland rich, but this was not revealed by Westminster until 2005.
Scotland’s renewable energy production share is now one of the highest in Europe, yet Scots have the most expensive power bills in the British Isles.
The Highlands and Islands are particularly hard hit by rising energy bills, despite having the highest renewable energy development in the UK.
However since nearly 7% of Scotland’s renewable energy capacity is community owned, we should push for more such ownership which is within our devolved powers.
Community ownership of energy should be our urgent call as we seek to regain independence.
In conclusion Scotland has been robbed by both UK Tory and Labour governments of this North Sea oil wealth, which was covered up for decades.
If independence had been secured in the 1970s, our country would have become so much better off. With this new energy bonanza we cannot let this happen again.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore.
* * *
The charge to EVs is proving too costly
The Conservative government egged on by the economically illiterate Greens introduced Draconian electric vehicle targets for the motor industry.
For 2024 it was that at least 22 per cent of new cars sold had to be electric and for vans it was 10 per cent.
For 2025 this was raised to 28 per cent for cars and 16 for vans.
These targets will rise year until 2035 when it will be 100 per cent.
The fines for every vehicle short of target was £15,000 to £18,000. Now the manufacturers Stellantis are closing their Vauxhall plant in Luton in April. BMW is pulling the plug on a £600 million upgrade of its plant in Cowley.
The Unite Union has warned of tens-of-thousands of job losses if these EV targets are not revised or cancelled.
Vehicle manufacturers are predicted to miss their EV new car/van sales targets by more than 345,000 units by 2028 which would equate to fines totalling £5.1 billion.
The Labour government should immediately blame the Conservatives and reduce targets and fines to production targets agreed as achievable by the motor industry.
Clark Cross
Linlithgow.
* * *
Scotland’s roads network is a disgrace
The state of Scotland’s roads, particularly the A9 and the A83, is nothing short of a disgrace.
Despite years of promises, the SNP-led Scottish Government has failed to deliver critical upgrades, leaving motorists, businesses, and emergency services to navigate crumbling infrastructure and dangerous conditions.
The A9 dualling project has been plagued by delays, spiralling costs, and a complete lack of urgency.
This is Scotland’s deadliest road, yet instead of action, we get more excuses and broken pledges.
Meanwhile, the A83 Rest and Be Thankful remains a national embarrassment. Millions have been wasted on consultancy fees, temporary solutions, and endless diversions while communities and businesses suffer.
Rural Scotland is being treated as an after-thought.
The SNP continually finds billions for vanity projects and political posturing but cannot deliver basic road infrastructure.
The impact on local economies, tourism and safety is devastating.
We need immediate investment, not more reports and delays.
The people of Scotland deserve safe, reliable roads not empty words and failed leadership.
Councillor Alastair Redman
Island of Islay.
