Scotland-London high-speed rail link to get go-ahead
Recommendations from Network Rail regarding passenger demands have prompted UK ministers to seriously consider a high speed rail link between London and Birmingham. Scottish ministers have called for the proposed line to be extended to Scotland. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
MINISTERS are set to back plans for the first section of a new High-Speed rail link this week, paving the way for a Scotland-London high speed connection within 20 years.
A report by Network Rail, the rail operator, has knocked back claims that improvements to existing inter-city links will be able to cope with passenger demand over the coming generation.
Government sources said that, as a result, ministers were now considering “very seriously” giving the go-ahead this week to plans for the first section of a new High Speed link, from London to Birmingham.
SNP politicians yesterday called on the UK government to commit to building the line all the way to Scotland. An announcement on the initial London to Birmingham connection is expected on Tuesday.
A new rail link which connects the entirety of the country would not be finished before 2033, however, according to estimates. The move to approve the first section of the link is certain to be massively controversial, with Tory MPs in seats along the route having expressed bitter opposition to the proposals.
But backers say that a London-Birmingham route, cutting connections between the two cities to just 49 minutes, would have massive economic benefits.
That first link could be completed by around 2026, before a further Y-shaped section takes passengers to Manchester and Leeds by the early 2030s.
A commitment to taking it up to Scotland has not yet been made, but rail operators say that the financial case for the vastly expensive rail link only stacks up once it runs right down the spine of the country, from Edinburgh or Glasgow to London.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “The capacity case for a new high-speed line is clear. In just over a decade the West Coast mainline, Britain’s busiest and most economically vital rail artery, will be full with no more space to accommodate the predicted growth in demand.”
He added: “Alternative schemes to HS2 have been put forward which would deliver some short-term capacity benefits, but they would come at a heavy price in terms of disruption to passengers and the wider economy.”
A government source told the BBC: “This independent Network Rail report shows that the main alternatives cited by opponents cannot in fact generate the capacity and connectivity boost that a new high-speed rail line could deliver.”
Edinburgh Central MSP Marco Biagi said the UK government should use the opportunity to confirm that they support connecting the high-speed line to Scotland.
He added: “Connecting Scotland and the south of England through high-speed rail would be good for business and good for the environment.
“The UK government should make clear that they will bring the line beyond Birmingham and north to Scotland.”
“A high-speed line connecting London to Scotland would offer a real alternative to short domestic flights, helping to cut carbon, reduce business costs and bring rail transport across the UK into the 21st century.”
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Comments
There are 46 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
brianwci
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 01:19 AMScotland to London high speed rail link in 20 years? Who are they kidding? They were talking about 20 years from London to Birmingham. They obviously think our heads zip up the back. VOTE YES.
Galloway gal
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 01:20 PM37... I really don't think you need to worry. In the event of an independent Scotland. The English taxpayer would be more inclined to build a stairway to heaven than a rail line to Scotland. Ye God's.
Galloway gal
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 01:16 PMWho will pay if Scotland goes it alone? Am I missing something here? Why are the SNP who are commited to independence asking the UK government to fund the link. Surely the SNP should be looking at ways to finance the Scottish section to the border.
pat&betty
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 09:28 PMWhether or not Scotland becomes independent is immaterial because each nation within a region must find a means to produce and trade its goods. No country can survive without a means to sell its goods. Therefore, a high speed rail link from the southern tip of England to the northern tip of Scotland makes more sense.
The Answer
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 08:48 PM#41...........HamishMcBush...........too wee too poor, a tiny tram line in edinborough comes to mind.
HamishMcBush
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 08:40 PMThe French built a few thousand mileskilometres of high-speed TGV lines in seemingly no time at all. Why does it take the English and Scots so long to build just a few hundred miles? High speed commmunications are a basic requirment these days. Quit dilly-dallying and get on with it
SINGAPOREAN
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 08:22 PMThey should spend the money fixing the roads.
panayiotis
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 06:42 PM38 It might be a that a high speed line to Waverly and then a high speed tram car from Waverly to Edinburgh Airport might be faster for Londoners and more convenient than trying to get from London to London airport -Now that makes sense Yes ??
The Answer
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 06:34 PM#37......panayiotis...... " If England sees the requirement and need for a fast train to Scotland then let them build it.".................... next the English will be begging salmond to teach them about scotch jigging.
panayiotis
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 06:21 PMI do not understand, why should we build such a thing? when all we want is to separate and have our own independence ,it does not make sense to me If England sees the requirement and need for a fast train to Scotland then let them build it. Do not forget we are still trying to build a tram car system that eventually???? is supposed to go out to Edinburgh Airport about 10 miles or so. We have neither the time nor money even the mindset to start a rail project of about 400 miles and high speed to boot,No it is just not on.
Simonsaid
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 04:45 PM33Phil C .... Yes, yes, I heard you the first time! You miss the point. This high speed line is being funded or part-funded by the UK government with UK money. It's being dressed up here as a line to Scotland when it patently is not. ===================== What is being suggeted here is that the line in question is heading in the direction of Scotland and the SNP have called for it to be extended to Scotland. Well. that is not going to happen any time soon especially before a a referendum on independence. SO THE SNP NUMPTIES ARE WASTING THEIR BREATH!!!!!! aFTER THEY WIN INDEPENDENCE THEY CAN FINANCE THEIR PART TAE THE BORDER AS WEIL AS THE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FACILITIES
FTH22inarow
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 04:44 PMThe only way it can be guaranteed to reach Scotland it would be started from here to Newcastle. London Government has no intention to build the line to Scotland, I thought the railways are privatised anyway why should any government give them any money at all?
First Green
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 04:40 PMGreat idea even if it is only London-Birmingham to start but why must it take so long to build? Did French, Germans and Spanish take 20 years to build a line the distance of London to Birmingham? With services by tunnel extending to Netherlands and Germany in next few years there are obvious benefits for England AND Scotland so lets get it started and finished asap.
Phil C
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 04:14 PM#29 Simonsaid..... Yes, yes, I heard you the first time! You miss the point. This high speed line is being funded or part-funded by the UK government with UK money. It's being dressed up here as a line to Scotland when it patently is not.
saltpeter
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 03:21 PMwhy ? waste of time and money M8 & A9 are far more important
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