The London to Scotland overnight sleeper service has been saved after London and Edinburgh agreed a joint £100 million funding pledge aimed at refurbishing the fleet.
However, Scottish transport minister Keith Brown, sounded a note of caution. ‘I am delighted to now confirm that we have submitted proposals to the Treasury that will see us invest, as a minimum, £50m to ensure that the Caledonian sleepers are enhanced to offer better facilities and a more responsive service to passenger needs.
‘I now await the decision from the Treasury on whether it will stick to its promise and make the funding available to maximise the improvements to the service.’
The service is run by ScotRail even though it connects London with Edinburgh, Inverness and Fort William. Options suggested by a recent Transport Scotland consultation included abolishing the sleeper. The sleeper service costs about £21 million a year to run, excluding track access charges.
