Much excitement in the media this weekend over suggestions that Glasgow will come off the East Coast franchise map.
The story prompted a strong denial from the Noble Lord in the Sunday Times:
Lord Adonis, the UK transport minister, last night dismissed claims that direct train services between Glasgow and London on the East Coast Main Line were about to be axed.
Adonis said that he knew of no such plan, insisting that he would not withdraw rail services from Glasgow.
But what's this?
The Noble Lord claims that he has no knowledge of such a plan.
Shome mishtake shurley!
Why it was only two years ago, when the last East Coast franchise failed, that exactly the same plans were submitted by officials.
The fact that they were vetoed by the then minister doesn't mean that such plans have gone away.
Indeed, after a second high profile franchise failure on the same route, these plans now make even more sense.
By removing the need to serve Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen there would be considerable operational savings (fuel, traincrew and rolling stock).
Better still it may be possible to free up some East Coast 125mph trains so that ScotRail could run their own premium service within Scotland.
Class 180s anyone?
So Eye confidently predicts that when the East Coast franchise is eventually re-let Edinburgh will be as far is it goes.
