AN environmental protest is to be led by transport workers in Edinburgh today against the Scottish government’s “betrayal” of Cop26 climate ambitions.

Rail, ferry and energy workers will also demonstrate in response to soaring train ticket prices, with the cost of travelling on public transport rising higher than car journeys, and cuts to infrastructure such as ticket offices.

They will gather at Edinburgh Waverley railway station at 11am before marching to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s official residence, Bute House, under the banner “Cut Carbon emissions – Not Public Transport Jobs.”

The RMT union has condemned the SNP/Green alliance at Holyrood for cutting Scotland’s rail services and selling the country’s green energy sources to the private sector.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Cop26 started only three months ago but already the lofty rhetoric about fighting climate change seems a distant memory as we witness a betrayal of ambitions by the SNP/Green government to move towards a greener Scotland.

“Instead of cutting climate change the government is cutting rail services and ticket offices, threatening the privatisation of our lifeline ferry services and doing far too little to protect the livelihoods of energy workers and the vital service they provide.

“As the country approaches the local government elections in May this protest will be the start of a concerted campaign to persuade politicians to protect these services and jobs which are so vital to our local communities.”

Rail operations in Scotland return to public ownership when the franchise held by private operator Abellio ends in March.

But RMT warns that initial negotiations with new management has shown that cuts in rail services and jobs are to continue.

Rail fares across Scotland rose by almost 4 per cent last week, with former transport minister Graeme Dey admitting the increase is necessary because of the impact of the pandemic.