ScotRail managers have called for the Scottish Parliament to take over control of the rail network north of the border.

The company fears that leaving the power with Westminster would risk losing millions of pounds in public investment.

The call has received the backing of a rail users group and the Scottish National Party.

But the Scottish Executive has warned that such a move would not be in the interests of the travelling public.

We would not be adverse to the control of Scotland's rail network resting with Scotland and Holyrood

Bill Ure Rail Passenger Committee

ScotRail made its views known in a submission to the Scottish Parliament's transport committee.

Managing director Nick Brown has warned that Scotland is already using 90% of its total rail capacity - far higher than the optimal 75% needed to allow for breakdowns and repairs.

He said there would need to be considerable public investment if the Scottish Executive wanted to see great improvements in rail services during the next 15 year franchise, which begins in 2004.

Mr Brown said Scotland was already missing out on critical investment because much of it was going into the networks in London and the south east of England.

And he said: "(This would) ensure that it does not continue to lose out as it always has done to priority investment needs of the infrastructure serving London and its busiest commuter routes.

Track and stations

"There is no good or technical or operational reason why the rail infrastructure in Scotland should be treated any differently from roads or highways which are also subject to a UK-wide safety and regulatory regime with consistent standards applied throughout."

Railtrack currently controls the track, stations and signalling across the UK.

Under the proposed change, the Scottish Parliament would manage all rail services beginning and ending in Scotland, but not cross-border links.

Nick Brown: "Consistent standards"

Bill Ure, a spokesman for the Rail Passenger Committee Scotland, said this was "a sensible idea".

"We would not be adverse to the control of Scotland's rail network resting with Scotland and Holyrood," he said.

But he felt rail safety should still be run on a UK-wide basis.

He also rejected the suggestion that the south east of England was receiving a better deal than Scotland.

SNP transport spokesman Kenny MacAskill said: "Everyone from the business sector to the industry itself - except the Scottish Executive - is now singing from the same hymn sheet.

Safety standards

"At present, ScotRail is right to say investment goes south of the border.

"But our railway system is small and straightforward and we should run it ourselves."

However, a Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "The integration of rail networks across the UK ensures consistent safety standards and brings benefits to Scotland.

"Disintegration would not be in the interests of Scotland's travelling public, would require changes to Westminster legislation and it is outwith the Scottish Executive's powers."