PLATFORM BLUES

Sturgeon plea to get rail back to normal as services cut

- PETER DAVIDSON

GETTING Scotland's train network back to normal is "vital", Sturgeon Nicola insisted yesterday as ScotRail moved to scrap 700 services.

ScotRail, which was nationalised last month, announced on Wednesday it will cut one in three services from Monday in response to a driver shortage caused by a disagreement with the union Aslef, which has seen some drivers decline to work overtime or on rest days.

The temporary timetable could be in place for weeks, ScotRail's service delivery director David Simpson has said.

Facing questions on the matter at Holyrood, the First Minister stressed the importance of ensuring services return to normal as quickly as possible.

ScotRail, the First Minister said, believes a temporary timetable is "preferable to unplanned cancellations".