East and West ask business to signal rail link support

THE leaders of Edinburgh and Glasgow city councils today urged business leaders to get behind their campaign to have Scotland included in the UK's high-speed rail line from the outset.

The first stage of the 30- billion project is expected to link London with Birmingham, but Scotland's two biggest cities want a clear sign that the route will be built north of the border.

City leader Jenny Dawe said: "Decisions regarding high-speed rail will have serious long-term implications not just for the economies of Glasgow and Edinburgh but for Scotland as a whole. We, as a nation, must advance a compelling case for extending the network here."