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Greens call on MSPs to fight for high-speed rail link

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Published Date: 23 April 2009
By Andy Philip
SCOTLAND must be ready to fight its corner to secure a high-speed rail link to the south, MSPs heard yesterday.
Politicians offered their support for a potential link two months after Holyrood's transport committee set out the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed rail.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie, convener of the committee, told parliament the UK had been left behind by other European countries which invested heavily during the 1980s and 90s.

Noting a recent "change of tone" at Westminster, he added: "It is essential that Scotland begins to fight its own corner, very clearly making the case that if high-speed rail is going to be built, it should be built all the way, making the maximum possible gain in journey times."

Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson said he and UK counterpart Lord Adonis would discuss the issue today.



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  • Last Updated: 22 April 2009 9:43 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Green Party , The railways
 
1

truthsleuth,

23/04/2009 00:25:38
Almost all regions now recognise the benefits of a High speed Rail Link and are fighting their corner.

They should all get together and present a solid front to the Government and keep the pressure up on them.

The employment that will follow from each stage of the link will bring employment benefits but the commitment must be for sections in each geographic region which when connected together will provide routes between all of the UK's major cities.

In Scotland Glasgow to Edinburgh Linking the two cities and their airports with a spur going South to connect with the English North West and North East would make sense.

Scotland should then examine the case to extend the network northwards to Aberdeen and Inverness

2

Duncan in Edinburgh,

23/04/2009 08:40:29
This is a good time for such large infrastructure projects. They create jobs, benefit from lower costs, and leave a great legacy for the return to times of economic growth. Let's do it.
3

,

23/04/2009 09:53:06
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

,

23/04/2009 10:38:03
Comment Removed By Administrator
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5

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 23/04/2009 15:00:33
7 Libertarian

I saw no disguise !
6

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 23/04/2009 15:01:17
Lord Adonis ! What a monikker to live up to.
7

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 23/04/2009 15:02:21
4 dunc

And the money comes from where exactly?
8

Duncan in Edinburgh,

23/04/2009 16:56:02
#10 Borrowing. If you wait until you have the money it will cost far more, because labour and materials will be more expensive than they are now.

Public infrastructure is what borrowing should be spent on - not the propping up of private institutions like banks and auto companies.

And as for selling off assets like the Post Office in the current climate, it's crazy.
9

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 23/04/2009 21:07:59
11 dunc

Ah, more borrowing. Excellent plan !
10

daveserviceman,

edinburgh 02/09/2009 00:44:04
This is a waste of money and time it is high time people thought of a more modern transport than an old fasioned and out dated railway and bulding this white elephant will only put the country further into debt

 

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