10 February 2010
Immediate release
 
UNFAIR FOR D&G TO PAY PRICE FOR CENTRAL BELT RAIL DISPUTE

It has been announced that more than 550 members of the RMT union will take part in 24-hour strikes on Saturday 20 February, Monday 1 March and Saturday 13 March. The strike will hit Scotrail services and is over plans to introduce “driver door operated” trains on the new £300m Edinburgh/Glasgow via Airdrie route. “Driver door operated” trains operate without conductors and the RMT union have raised safety fears about their absence.

Scotrail’s Managing Director Steve Montgomery has told Elaine Murray MSP that the company’s contingency planning means that during the strike they will be able to operate most of their services throughout Scotland. Unfortunately, in order to achieve this rural routes in Dumfries and Galloway will be hit.

During the strikes there will be no service between Dumfries and Carlisle after 7pm and no direct train service at all between Dumfries and Glasgow. It is hoped that a bus replacement service will be in operation for this part of the journey. Similarly, a bus replacement service will run between Ayr and Stranraer and, if possible, also to Kilmarnock.

Elaine Murray MSP said: “These strikes will cause people in Dumfries and Galloway real difficulty. It is always disappointing when relations deteriorate to the point of strikes as getting round the table and talking is always the best way.

“It is highly unfortunate that it will be my constituents who will be paying the price for a central belt dispute. While I understand Scotrail’s decision from a business perspective, it seems unfair that trains in our region that will be hit for an issue that doesn’t affect us.

“I have spoken to the Managing Director of Scotrail to make my concerns clear and I have sought assurances everything possible will be done to minimise disruption in our region.”

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown added: “It's deeply disappointing that people in the South West of Scotland will pay the price for changes on a service in the central belt.

“The only way to resolve this is for Scotrail and RMT to get round the table and work through the issues quickly."
 
ENDS
 
CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856