Carstairs Engineering Works

[The Planner]

Network Rail HQ address is:
Network Rail
One Eversholt Street
London
NW1 2DN

That is just an address, Carstairs was planned from offices in Glasgow by the Scottish teams.

 

[Taunton]

Network Rail HQ address is:
Network Rail
One Eversholt Street
London
NW1 2DN

I think I wrote the words "planned in", did I not ...?

 

[JamieL]

That is just an address, Carstairs was planned from offices in Glasgow by the Scottish teams.

I think I wrote the words "planned in", did I not ...?

That's as maybe, but the lines of accountability flow back to London and beyond to the Westminster Government. Chaos like the Carstairs works would probably have been managed much better if accountable to the Scots Government.

 

[zwk500]

That's as maybe, but the lines of accountability flow back to London and beyond to the Westminster Government. Chaos like the Carstairs works would probably have been managed much better if accountable to the Scots Government.

NR Scotland Region is part of Scotland's Railway which is accountable to the Scots Government.

 

[JamieL]

NR Scotland Region is part of Scotland's Railway which is accountable to the Scots Government.

That's not what their published policy says!

How we work - Network Rail

Find out about how we’re organised: from how we’re regulated and funded, through to how we work with our partners across the rail industry.

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

That's not what their published policy says!

How we work - Network Rail

Find out about how we’re organised: from how we’re regulated and funded, through to how we work with our partners across the rail industry.

www.networkrail.co.uk

They can be accountable to multiple bodies at once. They have funding from both the DfT and Transport Scotland, and are therefore accountable to both for the spending of that money.

 

[JamieL]

They can be accountable to multiple bodies at once. They have funding from both the DfT and Transport Scotland, and are therefore accountable to both for the spending of that money.

No, ultimate accountability can only rest with one - and is very, very clear it is DfT. That is totally unacceptable. That link needs to be severed in its entirety.

 

[zwk500]

No, ultimate accountability can only rest with one

Why?

 

[Bald Rick]

I suspect these works are fully planned in Scotland, and thus the contempt, if any, would be for the country that lies to the south ...

That is just an address, Carstairs was planned from offices in Glasgow by the Scottish teams.

The train service (and engineering trains) was planned in Birmingham and MK though

No, ultimate accountability can only rest with one - and is very, very clear it is DfT. That is totally unacceptable. That link needs to be severed in its entirety.

not so for Scotland. Network Rail is accountable to Scottish Ministers via Transport Scotland. It’s a separate organisation.

 

[Falcon1200]

Chaos like the Carstairs works would probably have been managed much better if accountable to the Scots Government.

How do you think the Scottish Government, given their proven 'expertise' in transport projects such as ferry construction and the A9 dualling, would have arranged and managed things differently, and better?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I can't stand the LNER trains because you need to go 1st class or nothing whereas Avanti West Coast have standard premium which is much more comfortable!

Are LNER not allowing any Anglo Scottish bookings in Standard class?

Indeed they do, but I have terrible cramp sitting in those squashed up seats. So I prefer to try and get a roomier seat where possible! West coast service let's you upgrade to standard premium for £25 which in my opinion is worth it. Especially if you are on the train for 5 hours !

Think a discussion regarding the relative comfort experienced when travelling with the various different TOCs operating between Scotland and London on the WCML or the ECML is probably best suited in a separate thread. Not really relevant to the engineering work taking place at Carstairs.

 

[martyn.connoll]

I've just done the Glasgow Central > Carlisle via Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Gretna (no stops)

It's not that different in fairness. A bit slow in terms of pace compared to the WCML as you head through Barrhead etc and as not all the route is electrified the noise connecting to and from the engine/overheard is loud and frustrating! Nothing a pair of headphones can't sort out. Anyhoo here in 1hr 59m.

We did sit right on the border for around 10 minutes. Presumably to let the ScotRail service clear Carlisle. Onward connection was sitting waiting for us at Carlisle. So all was well.