by Niall Christie

Scotland editor

THE Scottish Greens said today that almost 17,000 jobs could be created as part of a £22 billion package of improvements to Scotland’s railways.

Ahead of May’s Scottish Parliament elections, the party reiterated its commitment to investment in the railways as part of its Rail For All plan for better community transport links and emissions cuts.

Rail For All would see a new tunnel built under the Forth between Leith and Fife, as well as new rural stations opened up across the country alongside faster links between cities.

The Greens claim the plans would see 16,800 jobs created in the construction of new rail infrastructure, with further roles created as part of the ongoing operation across Scotland. 

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said that while the proposals were “ambitious and transformative … the climate emergency demands no less.”

Mr Harvie said: “Rail For All would improve inter-city services, upgrade regional links and open new stations across the country. It would help shift freight onto rail and reduce traffic levels on our roads. This will be crucial in cutting Scotland’s emissions.

“Successive governments have favoured roads over railways, but the Scottish Greens recognise the urgent need to reverse that, which is why we are asking people to vote like our future depends on it in May.”

But a rail union has said voters must be guarded when considering the proposals.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We know that the Scottish Greens promise a lot at the elections, but sadly they then get into bed with the nationalists and fail to deliver on their promises. 

“Here’s a health warning: take everything the Scottish Greens say with a large dose of salt.”