Transport bosses are being warned by council chiefs not to divert a £200million boost for north-east train passengers to projects which mainly help other parts of the country.
The Scottish Government promised the cash would be used to speed up journey times in the region as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
But a confidential memo sent to councillors on the joint city and shire committee overseeing the project reveals serious concern over delays at starting the work and over where the money will be spent.
The briefing note, written by an official at regional transport body Nestrans, says Network Rail has “consistently said they are not convinced” that dualling track south of Montrose “would provide the best benefit for the available £200million”.
Some sections being considered for upgrades carry trains only serving stations outside Aberdeenshire, it said, making it “difficult to justify that such a project would primarily benefit the north-east”.
While the £200million had been hailed by ministers as extra money devoted to the region, in fact it was the only pot available for the works, it added.
The committee, which meets tomorrow, was urged to “give a very strong steer” to Transport Scotland that the cash should only be used for projects that “primarily” help north-east travellers.
City council co-leader Douglas Lumsden, who is a member of the cross-authority panel, said: “We simply cannot have a situation where this money that was promised to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire at the time of the city region deal does not benefit the north-east,” he said.
“It would go against everything that was promised by the SNP at the time.
“People in Aberdeen and across the north-east will expect the Scottish Government to fulfill its promises to the region.”
Jim Gifford – the leader of Aberdeenshire Council – said: “We are looking for clarity in essence from Transport Scotland that the money that has been promised is going to be spent and spent quickly.
“Nothing has been happening for too long”
The claims emerged as Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf accused the UK Treasury of “railway robbery” over a £600million funding shortfall that has cast doubt over the future of the Aberdeen-Inverness line upgrade and the £200million of north-east improvements.
The UK Government announced last month that Scotland would get a “generous “ £3.6billion over five years from 2019/20 – an increase of £600million on the previous period.
But SNP ministers inisist the investment represents a real terms cut.
In Holyrood yesterday, Mr Yousaf said: “There is not a party in this parliament that has not come to the government to ask for rail improvements in its members’ constituencies, and it is quite right that they do so.
“However, if what we have to invest in our railways is £600million short, many members from across the political spectrum and their constituents will be deeply disappointed.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We remain committed to delivering an additional £200 million of improvements on this route as soon as possible. Everyone wants a solution to the capacity constraints and we are working with all relevant parties to identify the best solutions which will deliver the greatest benefits.
“All partners on the Aberdeen to Central Belt Reference Group are involved in progressing this project in a manner consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire councils and the Scottish Government.
“Our level of investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving rail infrastructure and underlines our determination to improve connectivity between Aberdeen and the Central Belt. We are, however, looking at 200 miles of railway – a significant challenge that will take time to fully consider.”