Scottish Government blocking ‘billions of pounds of investment’
The Scottish Government has been accused of blocking “billions of pounds of investment and jobs” by refusing to engage with the Union Connectivity transport review.
Iain Stewart, the Under- secretary of State for Scotland, told The Scotsman attempts to improve transport were being blocked by Holy rood and labelled the move “petty politics”.
Led by Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hen dy, the review will conduct a “detailed initial assessment of options for improved road and rail connections between England and Scotland, and England and Wales, as well as improved air links across the UK”.
Mr Stewart said :“The UK government has embarked on a comprehensive review of transport infrastructure right across the UK, to build a comprehensive picture of the state of the nation’s vital linkages, enabling us to look at where and how they could be improved.
“This is integral to our efforts to fuel the UK’S recover y and build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is incredibly disappointing that the Scottish Government have refused to engage in the review and blocked officials from Transport Scotland from taking par t. This is not only petty politics, but could prevent billions of pounds of investment and jobs reaching Scotland.”
Mr Stewart claimed the review was now being forced togo direct to local authorities. He said: “I have written to council chiefs across Scotland encouraging them to get aboard, joining industry experts, academics, engineering experts and the general public to contribute to this important piece of work.” It is thought the Department for Transport-commissioned review will examine potential projects such as a link between Scotland and Northern Ireland, and extending the Borders Railway south to Carlisle. The report is due to publish its findings next summer.
Michael Matheson, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, has labelled the move a “power grab”.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Transport infrastructure is a devolved matter. The Union Connectivity Review was established without any meaningful discussion with devolved administrations.”