1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the repair work being carried out on the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk rail line. (S5O-04573)

Following the severe weather last month, which led to the closure of the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk rail line, I visited the site last week to see at first hand the significant repair work that is being undertaken. Scottish Canals and Network Rail are currently undertaking the necessary repair work to the canal breach and the railway. We continue to press Network Rail to restore passenger services as quickly as possible. In the meantime, alternative transport options have been put in place, including other rail routes and replacement bus services for passengers travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow and Dunblane.

The Glasgow to Edinburgh rail link is vital to Scotland’s economy and those living in the towns between the two cities. It is not unreasonable for people to be angry that bad weather can close the line for weeks at a time. What plans does the Scottish Government have to focus investment on making the rail line more resilient, and what discussions has the Cabinet secretary had with Network Rail about ensuring that money can be directed into making the line better prepared for adverse weather?

I recognise the disruption and difficulty that the closure of the line cause for my constituents in places such as Falkirk. The member will appreciate that Scottish Canals and Network Rail have worked tirelessly over the past couple of weeks to repair the damage and the almost 1km of the main line that was swept away during the period of adverse weather. Restoring the route is a significant undertaking from an engineering point of view. I can assure the member that Network Rail and Scottish Canals are taking forward all the appropriate measures that they can.

The member might be aware that, unlike the situation for other parts of the United Kingdom network, in the high-level outputs that we put in place for Network Rail in Scotland, we specify climate change as one area for which they have to implement mitigation measures. Network Rail is already undertaking that work across the network.

Following the drop in use during lockdown, there is a real risk that passengers will stay away from rail services permanently, particularly given that the Dunblane to Edinburgh service now takes two hours each way. What steps will be taken to incentivise and promote use of rail once the repairs are complete?

The reality is that capacity on the rail network continues to be constrained, as is the case across the rest of the public transport network, due to physical distancing. As we move through the route map and the transport transition plan adapts to the stages in it, we will consider what further measures we can put in place to encourage people to return to rail and other forms of public transport. Some thought has already been given to that.

I can assure the member that we are keen to ensure that those who have to make use of public transport at the present time can do so and feel safe in doing so. Once we move to the stage where we no longer have physical distancing, we will encourage the public to start making use of public transport on a normal, routine basis.