SCOTLAND’S railways could see industrial action next summer if Holyrood presses ahead with plans to merge British Transport Police (BTP) with Police Scotland, unions warned at the weekend.

The cross-party Smith Commission recommended BTP devolution in the wake of 2014’s No to independence.

But opponents fear it would risk passenger and worker safety by potentially taking transport officers away from their duties to bolster a struggling Police Scotland.

And transport unions warn BTP would stop operating as a separate force, leading to dilution of specialist skills.

Rail union TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes warned of strike action if Scottish ministers force through the merger.

He said: “The feeling from our members is that the public needs to be able to rely on a safe transport system and if that safety is diminished then it become a real issue for our union and other unions.

“If it comes to a health and safety issue about our members and public protection there may be a move towards [a ballot for industrial action] among our membership.”

The RMT and Aslef unions also said their members could vote for action.

Aslef Scottish secretary Kevin Lindsay called on the government to change direction over the plans, “as this looks very much like a cost-saving exercise.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said the “direct access to the local, specialist and national resources of Police Scotland” would “enhance railway policing” and “build upon the high levels of personal safety and security currently enjoyed by passengers and staff across the Scottish rail network.”