Rail bosses say Usan track works among options considered

Rail bosses have insisted a longstanding plan to improve the Usan rail junction at Montrose remains on track.

The assurance has come from Network Rail after Conservative MSP Liam Kerr raised concerns about the fate of the proposal to dual the last single-track stretch of rail on the East Coast Line.

The North East region MSP said he was concerned that the scheme would be permanently shunted and challenged Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yusaf to make a five-year commitment to making it happen.

Mr Kerr said former SNP transport minister Stewart Stevenson had promised to bring forward proposals to improve the junction in 2008.

The pledge was restated by the Scottish Government in 2016 with the announcement of a £200 million plan to reduce waiting times between Aberdeen and Edinburgh by 20 minutes.

However, Mr Kerr said he had since been told by an official that the work “will never happen”.

Network Rail insisted the scheme was still very much on the table.

A spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Transport Scotland to examine how best to improve journey times and connectivity.

“There are a range of options to enhance the infrastructure under consideration, including the Usan track works.”

Transport Scotland also refuted Mr Kerr’s claim that the work would not happen.

A spokeswoman said: “This is not the position of Transport Scotland, or the official position of the reference group, and no decision has been taken.

“Consultants commissioned by the Aberdeen to Central Belt Reference Group are now focusing on producing a report detailing options to improve connectivity and journey times along the entire length of the route.

“We expect the final report this summer and the proposed options will then be considered by the reference group, and presented to ministers before a decision is made on progress towards delivery,” she said.