At the full council yesterday the Transport Convenor Lesley Hinds proposed a motion calling on the council to tell the Westminster government what they think about the proposals to bring forward the privatisation of the East Coast line.
The motion was approved, and the Chief Executive will now write to Westminster asking the Transport Secretary to reconsider their decision.
The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to the Transport Convenor after the meeting to ask her to expand on why she felt this was necessary.
The Conservative Group opposed the administration on this point. Councillor Joanna Mowat explained why:-“We put this amendment down because whilst we support a Intercity East Coast and believe this is a good service, it could be better.
“The improvements that have occurred across the rail network in terms of increased passenger numbers and demand apply to all areas and are not unique to the East Coast line or the operation of this line by a company owned by the Department of Transport. There is the potential for pulling in private sector monies to improve station facilities and to improve connectivity with this valued service improving rail accessibility along the whole of the east coast of the UK which would benefit people from Edinburgh who do not necessarily just want to visit London.
“The franchising model has been changed and improved since the previous failed models with a longer term offered. The service is currently good – but we believe it can be improved and we should constantly strive for the best service for the people of Edinburgh. On a lighter note I noticed that Scottish shortbread is provided on the (private) West Coast Line and vastly inferior Starbucks shortbread on the East Coast – I should add that it is the inferiority of the shortbread I object to!”
The full text of the motion was as follows:-
Council recognises the importance of good quality train services for residents, businesses and visitors to Edinburgh.
Council notes that:
- Since 2009 InterCity East Coast has been in public ownership, after two previous train operators withdrew from the franchise due to financial difficulties.
- Directly Operated Railways (DOR) on InterCity East Coast has been a success and has received the lowest subsidy of any operator and returns more money to the Government than any other operator.
- The current not-for-dividend operator has successfully made all its contractor payments to Government and delivered £800 million to the
The City of Edinburgh Council – 26 September 2013 Page 3 of 6
Treasury since taking over the service in 2009. This amount has been reinvested in the service.
• Since 2011 Intercity East Coast has increased its daily services by 19, with 3 million more seats each year.
Council therefore regrets the Westminster Government decision to bring forward the privatisation of the Inter City East Coast rail service.
Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport asking him to reconsider this decision and withdraw the OJEU/Pre Qualification Questionnaire which is due to be published in October 2013.”
The defeated Conservative amendment read as follows:-
“Delete all after “Council regrets” and replace with:-
Council welcomes the Westminster Government decision to consult on the proposed tendering of the East Coast rail service in order to improve the connectivity, reliability and punctuality of this service, secure increased investment and further strengthen the East Coast Mainline service.”
No matter who is running the East Coast service we would like to say that we particularly like the way that you can put your luggage in the luggage car at the back of the train in King’s Cross and not see it again till Edinburgh. True old-fashioned luxury!
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
