Fundamental change to the governance of Network Rail is needed to ensure the operator is accountable to the Scottish Government when things go wrong on the country’s rail routes, a think tank has urged.

A new report from Reform Scotland this week highlights that 54% of Scotrail’s delays over the last year were attributed to Network Rail, which is ultimately answerable to Westminster, not Holyrood.

“Reform Scotland believes that Network Rail in Scotland should be fully accountable to the Scottish Government, and that means it must be devolved,” commented former Transport Minister and now advisory board member for the think tank Tom Harris.

He added. “The Scottish Government is responsible for the strategic direction and funding of the Scottish rail network, but this responsibility cannot be properly exercised while Network Rail remains answerable to the UK Government.”

The report also highlights that rail journey times in Scotland compare unfavourably with those of a similar distance in England.

It criticises previous investments such as the Borders Railway (pictured) as ‘limited’ and ‘short sighted’ and calls for future proofing of all new projects by ensuring double tracking and electrification where possible.

“Our rail infrastructure is deficient. We should not tolerate a situation where a resident of Glasgow can get to London faster than they can get to Inverness, because Scotland’s cities are too poorly connected,” said Tom Harris.

The report calls for the Scottish Government to now create an ambitious Scottish Rail Infrastructure Commission to examine what new projects and railway lines will be needed in years to come.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We are committed to working closely with the Scottish Government to provide a better railway for passengers. However, there are no plans to go beyond the cross-party Smith Commission agreement in respect of Network Rail.”

The Smith Commission set out the devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament following the ‘no’ vote in 2014’s Independence Referendum.

(Photo: Network Rail)