Rail network 'must be tale of two cities'

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 08:38

EDINBURGH and Glasgow must both be included in high-speed rail links to London rather than competing for the connection, a city MP said today.

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, called for all political parties to commit to a high-speed network including both cities.

He said: "A high-speed rail link would be good for the environment, good for the economy and good for passengers. However, the only way to fully realise these benefits is for Glasgow and Edinburgh to be included in any future high-speed rail network."

He said the key to the environmental case was tempting passengers travelling between Scotland and London from air to rail.

"A high-speed line would cut this journey to around two-and-a-half hours from city centre to city centre. As someone who travels from Edinburgh to London every week, I know that airlines cannot compete with this figure."

He said with a general election next year, now was the perfect time for all parties to commit to a high-speed rail network that included both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

He said: "It is vital that central Scotland is connected to a high-speed network serving both cities rather than have the two cities competing with one another."