Scots cities join forces in high speed train call

Published on Friday 12 March 2010 09:29

EDINBURGH and Glasgow have joined together to call for their early inclusion in a £30 billion high-speed rail network.

Plans for a new line between London and Birmingham, which would be used by trains travelling at speeds of up to 250mph, were announced by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis yesterday.

The Government is recommending a route for a new line between London and Birmingham with a future extension to northern England and Scotland.

However, the Glasgow Edinburgh Collaboration Initiative said it was concerned that extending the line to Scotland remained only a "consideration".

City leader Jenny Dawe said: "The environmental benefits of high-speed rail are clear.

"However, all of the evidence suggests that these benefits can be fully realised only if journey times between Scotland and London are reduced to under three hours. This will only be achieved by extending the high-speed line from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow."

Jim McFarlane, managing director of operations for Scottish Enterprise, added: "To achieve the full benefits of a high speed rail network, it is imperative that provision is made for the early inclusion of Glasgow and Edinburgh."