Welcome for northern rail link safeguard

Scottish Chambers of Commerce chairman Mike Salter has welcomed Westminster's announcement that non-stop East Coast rail services between Inverness and Aberdeen to London will be safeguarded, following the review of the InterCity Express programme.

"With nearly half of Scottish business, measured by turnover, served by this rail link to the north of the Central Belt, connectivity with markets is essential," said Salter.

"As the recent weather related problems have indicated, the propensity to cancel domestic air links as soon as there are problems in the south of England emphasise the importance of rail now and for the future."