CLYDEBANK MSP Gil Paterson has called on opposition parties to back full devolution of rail services in Scotland.

He made the comments after former Labour transport minister Tom Harris, said lines, signals, stations and infrastructure currently under Network Rail should be transferred to a new body answerable to the Scottish Government.

Labour MSPs voted against devolution of rail, said Mr Paterson, despite almost 60 per cent of delays being the fault of Network Rail.

He told the Post: “The SNP in government has consistently called for the full devolution of rail services, but successive Labour and Conservative governments have repeatedly denied Scotland a full say over how its railways are run. At long last a former senior Labour politician can now see the logical path.

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“If ever a rail system was designed to fail, it is our shambolic system and it is important to realise that it also serves to camouflage real failings. Problems with the rail service are not always the fault of the people who run the trains. You cannot safely run a train if the signalling isn’t working, you can’t run a train if overhead cabling is down, you can’t run a train if the tracks are compromised.

“The Rail Review gives us an opportunity for meaningful change. Full devolution of services currently under the control of Network Rail would help to improve performance on the railways and allow for a coherent, joined-up approach to transport.”

He added: “It’s time for Labour to get on board with the common sense approach - handing over full control of the rail infrastructure to Scotland to help ensure our railways deliver for all passengers in Clydebank.”