Transport secretary forced to apologise over Highland Main Line claims

The Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for transport, Michael Matheson, has written to Highland MSP Rhoda Grant to apologise for inaccurate responses to written Parliamentary Questions about investment in the Highland mainline and claims over reduced journey times between Inverness and the central belt.

Mr Matheson had incorrectly advised that a 10-minute journey time saving had been achieved on the Inverness to Edinburgh/Glasgow route, and has since revised his answer to describe this reduction as an “aspiration”.

In a letter to Mrs Grant (Labour) apologising for the error, the transport secretary said: “It has now been brought to my attention that the answer incorrectly advised that a 10-minute journey time saving had been achieved. Unfortunately, that is not the case.”

Mr Matheson continued: “I apologise for the errors” and confirmed that “In accordance, with procedures I shall send a copy of this letter to the Parliamentary Clerk who in turn will forward a copy to the Written Answer Reports so as to correct the official record.”

Mrs Grant commented: “This is a humiliating climb down for the transport secretary whose claims crumbled under scrutiny.

“For too long the SNP Government has failed rail passengers in the Highlands and to make the necessary improvements needed to reduce travel time between Inverness and Scotland’s other cities, damaging business and tourism in our region.

“It’s time for a publicly owned rail company that will steer network planning and investments and deliver value for money for rail customers.”

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