Rail waste of cash

The Scottish Government has promised to fund feasibility studies for some local rail projects (your article, 10 August).

The impression is that, if viable, it would finance their implementation. If so, why? It does not pay for the construction or maintenance of local roads or subsidise bus services. These are a responsibility of local councils or regional bodies such as SPT. It is for them to to pay for any local rail “improvements”.

Only a tiny percentage of Scottish residents would ever use the projects proposed. They should not help pay for them. the borders railway was paid for by the Government. I doubt more than 5 per cent of Scots have used it. It should have been financed by the councils whose areas it serves. Yet all but one MSP decided the Scottish executive should pay. I doubt they consulted their constituents.

Neither the UK nor Scottish governments subsidise bus or air fares. Yet train services are heavily subsidised, although only 30 per cent of people use them. These are mainly in the higher income groups.

The UK Government is rightly reducing subsidies for train services and raising fares at a rate higher than inflation,

Over 90 per cent of public transport trips are by bus – for the great majority that is the only choice they have. The areas to which these studies apply have excellent bus services, much better than in many other areas. Any justification for these projects is hard to see.

The idea that improving train services will reduce use of cars is nonsense. It will remain far cheaper and more convenient to use these.

When essential services are being drastically cut, roads not maintained, voluntary bodies denied funding and teachers expecting big pay rises, it is astonishing that the Government is proceeding in this way. It is hoped that when Parliament returns it will be asked to explain its actions and intentions.

JOHN MUNRO Buccleuch Street, Glasgow