LABOUR IS ON TRACK TO MAKE SCOTLAND LOSE OUT

LABOUR IS ON TRACK TO MAKE SCOTLAND LOSE OUT

HIGH SPEED RAIL MUST CONTINUE TO SCOTLAND

Commenting on the failure of Whitehall commissioned proposals submitted to the UK Government today (Wednesday) to outline detailed plans for an extension of the high speed rail link to Scotland, SNP Transport Spokesman Angus MacNeil said:

“A high speed rail link would revolutionise travel between Scotland and England and any report to Lord Adonis should rightly have included detailed plans of how this can be achieved.

“To halt the line in the West Midlands would put the buffers on the economic advantages that could be brought north of the border by this service.

“Extending the high-speed line to Scotland wouldn’t only bring considerable financial benefits but would also have a significant environmental impact by cutting the number of short haul flights. The Tory policy to extend the line as far as Leeds also forgets Scotland and would make little dent in the flight reduction which they claim their policy is aimed at.

"The SNP believe high speed rail system offers the best solution to transport problems between Scotland, England and Wales. The Spanish Government has set an excellent example – investing long term in links between all major cities.

“The UK Government report and white paper, due to be published in March, must include details of the extension of the line to Scotland - otherwise Labour is on track to make Scotland lose out from this substantial opportunity.