Callum Johnstone
2003-12-04 09:20:37 UTC
Source: The Scotsman
04/12/03
ScotRail anger at agency's costs
ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
A major row over the spiralling cost of Scotland's railways was
brewing last night as ScotRail accused Network Rail's "overblown" cost
estimates and "excessive bureaucracy" of jeopardising future
expansion.
The head of ScotRail will launch a scathing attack on the track firm
today, claiming that projects such as airport rail links and the
redevelopment of Waverley station in Edinburgh are under threat unless
there are fundamental changes to the way Network Rail operates. Peter
Cotton will claim ScotRail has completed improvement projects at a
third of the cost estimated by Network Rail.
The outburst comes as the long-delayed Edinburgh Park station finally
opens today following lengthy disputes between the bodies involved.
Trains on the Dunblane and Bathgate to Edinburgh lines will stop at
the £4.5million station.
Mr Cotton will tell a conference in Edinburgh that Scotland's planned
new rail projects, which also include the Borders line, are by far the
most ambitious in the UK.
However, he will warn industry decision-makers: "I question whether it
can be delivered without fundamental changes to Network Rail's
procedures."
The ScotRail managing director will also call for the train operator
to be allowed to take over smaller projects, and to be consulted much
earlier in planning schemes. This follows his previously expressed
concerns about delays to Edinburgh Park station being caused by
developers insufficiently considering its impact on the rail network.
Mr Cotton will say that ScotRail has repeatedly had to rescue station
improvements rather than let them "fall by the wayside on the basis of
exorbitant cost estimates" provided by Network Rail.
Mr Cotton will point to work such as the replacement of automatic
doors at Glasgow Queen Street, Dundee and Ayr stations being completed
by ScotRail for £32,000 - less than half the £72,000 quote by Network
Rail's contractor. Platform lighting at Annan station in Dumfries and
Galloway cost ScotRail £18,000 rather than the £55,000 estimate, and
anti-trespass and vandalism work totalled £88,000 rather than
£330,000.
Mr Cotton will say: "These are small schemes, but given the excessive
bureaucracy and risk aversion at this level, how confident can we be
of value for money costings for major multi-million-pound projects?
Iain Coucher, Network Rail's deputy chief executive, expressed
"disappointment" at the claims. Mr Coucher, who will also address the
conference, said: "The allegations fail to recognise the enormous
amount of change and hard work that Network Rail and its employees
have put in the last 14 months since we took responsibility for
Scotland's rail infrastructure. Looking to apportion blame helps
no-one, especially the passenger."
04/12/03
ScotRail anger at agency's costs
ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
A major row over the spiralling cost of Scotland's railways was
brewing last night as ScotRail accused Network Rail's "overblown" cost
estimates and "excessive bureaucracy" of jeopardising future
expansion.
The head of ScotRail will launch a scathing attack on the track firm
today, claiming that projects such as airport rail links and the
redevelopment of Waverley station in Edinburgh are under threat unless
there are fundamental changes to the way Network Rail operates. Peter
Cotton will claim ScotRail has completed improvement projects at a
third of the cost estimated by Network Rail.
The outburst comes as the long-delayed Edinburgh Park station finally
opens today following lengthy disputes between the bodies involved.
Trains on the Dunblane and Bathgate to Edinburgh lines will stop at
the £4.5million station.
Mr Cotton will tell a conference in Edinburgh that Scotland's planned
new rail projects, which also include the Borders line, are by far the
most ambitious in the UK.
However, he will warn industry decision-makers: "I question whether it
can be delivered without fundamental changes to Network Rail's
procedures."
The ScotRail managing director will also call for the train operator
to be allowed to take over smaller projects, and to be consulted much
earlier in planning schemes. This follows his previously expressed
concerns about delays to Edinburgh Park station being caused by
developers insufficiently considering its impact on the rail network.
Mr Cotton will say that ScotRail has repeatedly had to rescue station
improvements rather than let them "fall by the wayside on the basis of
exorbitant cost estimates" provided by Network Rail.
Mr Cotton will point to work such as the replacement of automatic
doors at Glasgow Queen Street, Dundee and Ayr stations being completed
by ScotRail for £32,000 - less than half the £72,000 quote by Network
Rail's contractor. Platform lighting at Annan station in Dumfries and
Galloway cost ScotRail £18,000 rather than the £55,000 estimate, and
anti-trespass and vandalism work totalled £88,000 rather than
£330,000.
Mr Cotton will say: "These are small schemes, but given the excessive
bureaucracy and risk aversion at this level, how confident can we be
of value for money costings for major multi-million-pound projects?
Iain Coucher, Network Rail's deputy chief executive, expressed
"disappointment" at the claims. Mr Coucher, who will also address the
conference, said: "The allegations fail to recognise the enormous
amount of change and hard work that Network Rail and its employees
have put in the last 14 months since we took responsibility for
Scotland's rail infrastructure. Looking to apportion blame helps
no-one, especially the passenger."