Gridlock looms as commuters get back in their cars

SCOTS face road and rail gridlock from today as savage cuts to train services begin and force commuters into their cars.

Industry experts have warned that axing more than 600 daily services could cause ‘irreparable damage’ to businesses and cultural life and leave commuters fearing how they will get to and from work.

With many services no longer getting into major employment centres until after 9am, it could see thousands use their cars instead, bringing chaos across motorway and road networks.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: ‘Hard-pressed passengers deserve better than having to pay the price for the SNP’s chaotic incompetence with no end in sight.

‘It’s scandalous that the Scottish Government’s failings could cost our economy up to £80million a week starting on Black Monday.

‘Just seven weeks into Nat-Rail and Scotland already faces a summer of discontent and service cuts.

‘The SNP must sort this mess and address the travel misery facing commuters by thrashing out a resolution with the unions.’

Politicians in the north of Scotland yesterday criticised the ‘chaos’ on the railways since ScotRail was taken into state control in April.

Commuters working a 9-5 day in Aberdeen will be unable to arrive on time if they travel by train as the first service of the day does not get in until after 9am.

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth has blamed a pay dispute and the pandemic for the shortage of drivers, which has triggered the ‘temporary cancellations.’

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said the road network would now bear the brunt as people look for alternatives to travelling by train.

The Conservative MSP said: ‘Many people who commute, or who have previously used the train to travel across the Highlands, will now have to reconsider their travel options because of these cuts by ScotRail.

‘The reduced service, with the “last train” often far earlier than previously, will mean many will have to make alternative arrangements just to get home, or simply choose not to travel at all.

‘It will leave many people with no option but to use their cars, forcing folk back onto roads which can already be busy at peak times. And we’re already seeing roads become busier as summer approaches.’

North-East MSP Liam Kerr said the rail upheaval would make it ‘completely unfeasible’ for passengers getting to work in Aberdeen.

Mr Kerr, the Scottish Conservative net zero, energy and transport spokesman said: ‘Businesses in

Aberdeen are still reeling from the Covid pandemic and now face a loss of another summer due to this dismal timetable situation.

‘The first train now won’t arrive into Aberdeen until after 9am which makes rail completely unfeasible for getting to work.’

ScotRail service delivery director David Simpson said the temporary timetable had been introduced due to a ‘limited number of available train drivers’, adding: ‘We’re sorry to our customers for the disruption they’ve faced.

‘We want to resolve this dispute with Aslef and move forward together to provide the safest, greenest and most reliable railway we can. We remain open to further talks with the trade unions.’

Miss Gilruth said: ‘I have been absolutely clear that the temporary cancellations, which have been made necessary by a pay dispute and the impact of Covid on driver training, are disruptive.

‘They impact on staff, on passengers and on businesses; impacts which I have reiterated in today’s meeting with ScotRail.

‘A review of the revised timetable was the central focus of the meeting and there was a collective recognition of the importance that this happens quickly.

‘It is clear that the potential outcome of other ballots for industrial action could impede any efforts to reintroduce services.

‘That is why ScotRail will be taking a considered approach to increasing services but will make every effort to action them at the earliest sustainable opportunity.’

‘It will leave people with no option’