SEStran continues to back high-speed rail
Date : 3rd December 2009
The SEStran board is to consider a report on progress towards the development a high-speed rail network that will include Scotland, and which recommends continued SEStran membership of Greengauge 21.
SEStran has already contributed £25,000 towards part funding the Greengauge 21 report “Fast Forward”, which analysed the case for high-speed rail in Scotland.
In addition to a line up the west coast between London and Glasgow & Edinburgh City centres, the report also identified the potential for an Edinburgh-Glasgow high speed service, through the inclusion of an East-West chord south of the central belt. It also identified the potential for a link to the Forth Bridge that would enable high-speed links between North East Scotland and England, with a west Edinburgh stop serving Edinburgh Airport.
Continued membership of Greengauge 21 will ensure that SEStran is at the forefront of the campaign to ensure that Scotland is included in the development of high-speed rail.
SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:
“It is vitally important that Scotland is included in the development of high-speed rail from the word go. We cannot allow ourselves to become an afterthought in what is likely to be the most important development in UK rail travel in a century. That is why it is crucial that SEStran continues its membership of Greengauge 21 and our representation on its steering group”.
“The future of the economy of the SEStran region requires that we have fully fledged high speed rail connections with London and key English cities via both East Coast and West Coast routes. It is also the best way to reduce the number of business flights that take place between Scotland and London. If the business community have a viable alternative to flying, that is fast and reliable they will use it.”
ENDS
SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications Officer
T: 0131-524-5161
M: 07889-010-291
E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk
