DISASTROUS
Firms say walkout that will affect 90% of services is ‘perfect storm’
THE economy will face a “perfect storm” if national rail strikes go ahead next week, business leaders have warned.
ScotRail and cross-border train operators will cut 90 per cent of services on three separate days, with thousands of railway workers planning to walk out in a dispute over staffing.
There will be no trains north or south of the central belt on June 21, 23 and 25, unless a deal can be reached between the RMT union and Network Rail.
Even on routes kept open, there will be no services before 7.30am and none after 6.30pm.
It will be the biggest rail strike since 1992.
Industry leaders yesterday warned the economic impact could be devastating at a time of year many Scots are heading off on holidays.
Passengers heading to the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston or the Barry Manilow concert at the Hydro in Glasgow could be affected by the strike.
But the north and south of the country face the worst travel chaos, with no services running at all.
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, warned many people would simply not bother going out if the strikes go ahead.
He said: “Businesses are slowly recovering after the pandemic and, just when most are looking forward to a good summer, along comes a national rail strike which will deter people from travelling. If there are no trains, people won’t bother going out at all and who can blame them?
“We are already aware of hotel and restaurant bookings being cancelled. With soaring utility bills, serious staffing issues and now disruption on the railways, this summer is shaping up to be a perfect storm for businesses.”
The UK-wide dispute has been caused by Network Rail planning to axe hundreds of critical maintenance jobs.
It is not linked to the separate dispute involving Aslef, the train drivers’ union, and ScotRail.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “While this dispute is a matter for the RMT union and the relevant employers, we would of course encourage all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure a satisfactory agreement can be reached for the benefit of passengers and staff alike.” The Scottish Chamber of Commerce warned the industrial action has already cost the Scottish economy “tens of millions of pounds”.
Chief executive Dr Liz Cameron said: “The ongoing disruption due to the reduced ScotRail timetable continues to damage the summer prospects of many of Scotland’s key sectors such as culture, hospitality and tourism.
“Businesses will already have lost tens of millions across the economy because of this.
“This week’s industrial action is only going to exacerbate the pain for businesses and communities across the country, with again, millions expected to be lost across the economy as businesses lose out on day trip consumer spending.”