The Scottish railway industry has today expressed disappointment that there has been another delay in the Scottish Government publishing details of the future funding of railway infrastructure in Scotland.
Initial publication of the Control Period 7 High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA), for the period – between April 2024 and March 2029 – was due in November 2022, with the revised publication date due today, Friday 27 January.
RIA Scotland, representing rail suppliers operating in Scotland, need to see publication of the High Level Output Specification, the Statement of Funds Available, and the Strategic Business Plans for CP7 to give suppliers the clarity they require to enable them plan their businesses in the months and years ahead, and to ensure they can deliver the best value-for-money possible when conducting rail work.
Commenting, RIA Scotland Chair, Meirion Thomas, said: “Whilst we understand current budget pressures, it is disappointing for rail suppliers in Scotland that the CP7 High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) has not been published today as expected. It really is important for rail businesses that more detail on the funding and objectives for 2024-29 is published so they can plan their businesses for the work ahead. So we urge the Scottish Government to make this information available as soon as possible.
“Rail is the backbone of the zero-carbon economy, and we must continue to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure to ensure it serves people and communities across Scotland. We therefore ask that the High-Level Output Specification will be ambitious and, for our part, rail suppliers will work closely with Scotland’s Railway to be more innovative about how we deliver, ultimately to ensure the best value for money possible to the taxpayer.”
Photo credit: Railway Industry Association
