Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader, has been accused by WCRC of acting like Lord Voldemort by trying to derail the Jacobite steam train, which appeared in Harry Potter as The Hogwarts Express.
West Coast Railways currently plans to resume the twice-daily service between Fort William and Mallaig on the 25th May 2020, a fortnight after the current Coronavirus lockdown is due to end.
Mr Blackford, however, has been said to demand that they stop advertising the service until after the restrictions have been lifted.
Ian Blackford has claimed that WCRC is being “irresponsible” and said that 25th May was “far too early” to be running trains on the line.
West Coast Railways have promised that they will not recommence the Jacobite until after the restrictions are lifted, and it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson for West Coast Railways has pointed that Mr Blackford has welcomed a decision by booking.com to take hotel bookings after the 9th May 2020, a fortnight before The Jacobite is scheduled to resume.
What did they say?
Ian Blackford said:
“There will still have to be a tight control on travellers moving around the country. What can't happen is there is a loosening of restrictions and we are then flooded with visitors again, which has the potential to flare the issue once more.”
A spokesman for WCRC said:
“The welfare of our passengers, staff and local residents is paramount. So if the lockdown continues, then anybody booked with us will be able either to claim a refund or rebook for a later date.
“That is exactly what most airlines, ferry companies, hotel companies and indeed other heritage steam operators are doing.”
“In view of that we cannot understand why he continues trying to paint us villains in the piece.
“Especially as he has not complained about the Belmond Royal Scotsman, which is running a luxury £11,000-a-head week-long trip to the same area on June 5, just 10 days later than the Jacobite is set to recommence.
“It really does not make sense – well, not unless you are a politician chasing headlines.
“We are astonished that he thinks it OK for toffs who pay £11k to visit the Scottish Highlands but not for ordinary folk who can only afford a £36 single ticket on the Jacobite.
“This sounds like a very snobbish attitude by the SNP. Mr Blackford seems to be acting like Lord Voldemort in just trying to derail the Jacobite train.”
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I think that all these comments are a load of twaddle as the commentators know nothing or little in the costs or logistics of running any trains on the main line away from base having done this in the distant past I can veryfy that it takes months if not years to organise for some person to stick there ore in at the last minutetaked some believing West Coast do a great job and if allowed will do there very best for everyone in these very difficult times leave them alone for a
The Government has rightly set the signal to Red, for danger. It wouldn’t be the first time that West Coast Railway has passed a Red light. (Not) joking aside, too early even if trains ran with 50% capacity. Sadly.
Is the quote from Ian Blackford correct? I have never heard him say anything constructive, whatever the subject he usually reverts to his usual diatribe of Independence for Scotland.
I do wish MPs and others would give the majority of our nation some credibility of listening to what we are told and using our common sense to interpret the guidance given to us and then themselves, practice what they preach!
How come he says in his first paragraph ” we still have to have tight restrictions on people moving around the country ” .how come that a troop of traveling people have just arrived on spare land which is dissected by a public footpath have just made camp .when this was put to a local counselor he immediately contacted the appropriate authority was told the government says to leave them alone ! Is this a rule for one and not another ?
It’s ludicrous West Coast Railways think they’ll be able to run this year at all, in fact next year is in huge doubt already. As it stands it will be a couple of years at least before the Jacobite is able to run again as we have to wait for everyone to be vaccinated against this terrible disease. Social distancing must last for at least a couple of years possibly longer therefore meaning West Coast Railways can’t operate. If it puts them out of business and results in years of economic pain for the Highlands, so be it, the economic pain of the Highlands doesn’t matter at all. The health of every single person alive does and for West Coast Railways to even be thinking of running the Jacobite next year let alone this year is reckless, foolish and totally wrong.
More important things in life than a steam train. They should knock it off this year, its hard to social distance on any train.
Simon, I fully agree with your comments, the health care facilities are sparse enough on the West Coast of Scotland. Would not cope with the excess of these extra tourists under even a gradual reduction of lockdown restrictions. We have a long way to go whether we like it or not.
Perhaps you should have looked a little deeper into this story before publishing only the operators view? They weren’t going to close at all until Ian Blackford publicised their decision in the House of Commons. What many people will fail to understand is that the health facilities on the West coast of Scotland are sparse to say the least. No criticism of the local providers, but there aren’t the same facilities as most tourists would expect. It is wholly irresponsible of this company to rush back to life when we are nowhere near out of this crisis.
I agree with him , as much as I would love things to return to normal it simply can’t. And rushing to re-boot these events can and will re ignite the virus and force another lockdown which I’m sure none of us want.
I have my wife, myself and son booked on the Jacobite in August, we still have a weeks holiday pre booked in Fort William from last November but still not decided yet whether to undertake the holiday, will go by the Government advise nearer the time.. My main concern now on a steam train is to ensure social distancing, reassurance that the coaches are spotlessly cleaned inside, outside door handles etc, would it practibly work. I think the local people as well should be considered if there is a sudden influx of tourists to the area. This will not be over for a while yet.
My first thought, “Visitors welcome, but please leave your car behind and come by train”.