Scotland’s crime-ridden train network

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTLAND’S sprawling network of trains and stations are being plagued by drug dealers, drunkards and sex attackers, shock new figures reveal.

Hard pressed officers from British Transport Police are now dealing with almost 7000 different crimes every year – with city centre stations the main battleground.

A total of 6978 offences were committed under their jurisdiction. Of those, a staggering 1482 serious crimes and 2870 petty offences actually happened aboard rail or subway carriages last year.

Scotland’s most dangerous station has been revealed as Glasgow Central – with a frightening 548 crimes reported there between 2007 and 2008.

Controversial Edinburgh tram opens doors to public

By Oliver Farrimond

EDINBURGH residents got a first look at the controversial new tram development yesterday as a mocked-up carriage opened its doors to the public.

Shoppers on busy Princes Street were able to walk inside the carriage and talk to those working on the project.

The scheme is currently mired in controversy, and has caused Edinburgh’s busiest shopping district to close to traffic.

Alastair Richards, project manager, said that feedback on the tram’s design had been largely positive, and called for patience during the planned disruptions.

He said: “Time will always be an issue, but broadly speaking we are moving forward.

“Hopefully people can bear with us while we convert the infrastructure, and invest in Edinburgh’s future.”