THE Scottish Liberal Democrats yesterday launched a campaign opposing
the Government's plans for privatising rail services north of the
Border.
They plan to hold a rally in Inverness on May 8, with all Highland
Liberal Democrat MPs travelling there by train, collecting signatures
for a petition during the journey.
In a paper released at Westminster yesterday, the Liberal Democrats
said ''the whole of the ScotRail network is to be the guinea-pig for
privatisation''.
The paper continues: ''Throughout Scotland, there are growing fears
that there will be line closures, that the standard of service will
decline and that, following privatisation, rail safety will be
compromised.''
It adds: ''The Government has displayed remarkable arrogance and
ignorance, given the public's concern over the future of Scotland's rail
network.''
The lines identified by the Liberal Democrats as being at risk include
Glasgow to Euston via the west coast main line, Inverness to Kyle of
Lochalsh, Inverness to Wick and Thurso, Glasgow to Oban and Glasgow to
Stranraer.
Mrs Ray Michie, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll and Bute and Scottish
Affairs spokesman for the party, said last night: ''The Government is
putting ideology before common sense and I fear it may mean the end of
the West Highland line in particular. Our campaign is designed to fight
these plans every inch of the way.''
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