The north-east’s “third class passengers” could be forced to wait more than a decade for better rail services to the central belt.
Council chiefs fear the long-awaited improvements between Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow are “very unlikely” to materialise within the next 10 years.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government committed to delivering £254million of infrastructure improvements around the north-east on the day the Aberdeen City Region Deal was signed.
But while some work is already under way, it has emerged the £200million set aside for improving the rail links has not been put in the government’s latest capital plan.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman last night insisted the funds would be included in a future capital plan.
Some projects are planned ahead as far as 2023, while others are only in the earliest stages of planning.
The budget does however say the government will “continue delivery of key improvements to the route between Aberdeen and Inverness.”
The spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government is delivering a huge amount for Aberdeen and the north-east. We are delivering our share of the Aberdeen City Deal plus an additional £254million investment announced alongside it. This investment, including the £200million investment in rail enhancements, will be built into future capital budgets.”
Last night, Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing called for “reassurance” that the work would be delivered.
She said: “The Scottish Government announced back in January that they would commit £200million to improve connectivity between Aberdeen and the central belt. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the capital needed has not yet been factored into their capital plans.
“The memorandum signed by both local authorities and the Scottish Government agreed the £200million rail improvements would be done within the 10-year timescale of the city deal, but that now looks very unlikely as the Scottish Government have not yet indicated where the £200million capital required will be within their own capital plan.”
Her concerns were echoed by North East Tory MSP Ross Thomson, who said: “It is hardly surprising that there is no funding set aside for this hugely important investment in the north east rail network, given the dithering and delay we have seen from the SNP government.
“This project was announced with great fanfare at the time of the Aberdeen City Deal, but ministers have already said that we will be well into the 2020s before real progress is made.”
Andrew Martin, vice-chairman of the Aberdeen and Shire Hoteliers Association and director of the Scottish Centre for Tourism at Robert Gordon University, said improved rail links were “vital” for the sector as the north-east diversifies its economy.
He said: “Frankly the travel times between to Edinburgh or London from the city are embarrassing. To use a rail analogy, we’re third class passengers.
“The government must deliver these funds in the timescale promised.”
But SNP Aberdeen South MP Callum McCaig said: “The government sets a yearly budget so it could be included at any stage in the future.
“From the word go, Willie Young and Jenny Laing have been trying to derail this investment.
“I think folk in the city realise this is a long-term commitment for the region which dwarfs anything the UK government has come forward with.”
