A Largs man has brought up the issue of cross border trains in the event of independence.

Mr Archie Burleigh wrote to the Largs & Millport News this week stating: "I would like to pose the following question/s regarding the costs, safety case and Cross Border services provision for the Scottish area railway in the event of a yes vote.

"Network Rail is the current owner of the Rail infrastructure and as of 1st September 2014 the organisation becomes a public body."

Mr Burleigh of The Meigle added: "What contingency has the Scottish Government allowed for the transfer of staff, organisation and assets from Network Rail and, more importantly, the safety case for their new infrastructure company?

What will the Network Rail infrastructure net running costs be? United Kingdom wide, net costs are currently in excess of £6 billion? What will they be doing about underwriting the entire infrastructure in terms of insurance liability in the event of a major incident? Currently the British Government underwrite all infrastructure incidents as has been the case since the old days of British Rail. (They are after all more able to carry the risk due to the Treasury having a bigger funding pot)."

Cross Border trains He continued: "Another concern is what happens to the Cross Border Train Operating companies. They, in effect, will be transporting passengers and goods from one railway system on to another, and will their underwriters be comfortable with the infrastructure change, notwithstanding the fact that the physical parameters of the two railway systems are the same."

Mr Burleigh's full letter is in the Largs & Millport News of September 10 with two pages of views and feedback.