Letter submitted to The Herald by Richard Ardern in response to <http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/tourist-boss-condemns-third-world-rail-link-to-aberdeen.25264992>:
In using the tag “third world”, Steve Harris should spare a thought for the rail links to Inverness and the Highlands ( “Tourist boss condemns ‘third world’ rail link to Aberdeen”, The Herald, September 8). They are still only single track.
We all need to “own” such lines as part of Scotland’s strategic railway, not diminish them as a mere Highland problem. That is why I am glad to see the Borders railway being partly reopened, albeit with some short sighted cutbacks making much of it single track. We must invest in railways which we know are a sustainable carbon friendly transport mode for the future. The Middle East situation is getting ever more serious and presents a potentially huge threat to oil supplies.
The inner Moray Firth area is far too dependent on the currently being improved A9 road, but if there is no oil the Highlands will suffer badly. The Scottish Government ought to be very seriously considering bringing forward the dualling of the congested Perth to Inverness railway to make much more capacity for freight in particular. If an oil crisis occurs, freight needs to be able to switch from road to rail and sea immediately, so it is myopic to think that providing the extra capacity by the current deferred target of 2025 will be soon enough.
A double track electrified railway would provide a prudent alternative to the road. The new Airdrie to Bathgate line has set the standard, and a similar line to the Highlands would be something for Scotland to take a pride in as well.
R J Ardern, Inverness