Keith Brown makes case for high-speed rail network

The case for including Scotland in the UK's high-speed rail network project is clear and compelling, transport minister Keith Brown said today.

Mr Brown spoke as he unveiled plans for organisations to work together to press home the case for having the network north of the border.

A summit to discuss issues surrounding Scotland's possible inclusion in the high-speed scheme is being held in Edinburgh today.

Under the Westminster government's plans, the HS2 high-speed rail network would initially run from London to Birmingham.

Work on the first section is due to be completed in 2026 while a second section to Manchester, Leeds and possibly further north could be finished around 2032/33.

The House of Commons Transport Committee is currently carrying out an inquiry into the 32 billion scheme.

Speaking in advance of today's rail summit, Mr Brown said the UK government's plans do not go far enough.

He said: "The case for a high-speed rail network all the way to Scotland is compelling, robust and clear - and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Westminster understands that without Scotland the case is substantially weakened.

"So while we support the Department for Transport's plans to build to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, we argue that those plans don't go far enough: a UK high-speed network must include Scotland."

He has unveiled plans for a Scotland-wide partnership to look at possible routes and locations for stations.

Mr Brown said: "I've announced a partnership which will not only reinforce the economic and environmental benefits of a link from Scotland all the way to London and beyond, but will press ahead with work to shape how a high-speed link in Scotland may look.

"This group will be responsible for taking forward our business case and high-level planning for the route options in Scotland and termini locations in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as identifying future demands and improvements for Scotland's rail network to ensure readiness for Scotland's high-speed rail aspirations.

"The work will also determine likely costs of detailed design work and construction costs, and help us inform future funding decisions.

"We will be inviting local authorities, regional transport partnerships and representatives from the business and transport communities right across Scotland to work in partnership with the Scottish Government to develop a single voice and a single vision for a high-speed rail link all the way to Scotland."