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SNP backs Edinburgh-London link

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Published Date: 05 October 2008
SNP ministers are backing plans for a high-speed rail link between Edinburgh and London, cutting travel times by three hours.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said if powers and cash for rail were transferred from Westminster to Scotland he would support moves to build a UK line.

Last week the Tories said if they get into government they will plough billions into a high-speed link from London. However, the link would only go as far as Leeds and Manchester initially.





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  • Last Updated: 04 October 2008 7:36 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

AM2,

Scotland,UK 04/10/2008 23:21:00
Either there's a good business case for a high-speed rail link or there isn't! It is typically churlish of Stewart Stevenson to make his "support" contingent on whether or not the responsibility happens to be devolved.
2

truthsleuth,

05/10/2008 00:28:18
Lets get on with it.
The number of studies, committees , working parties, inquiries, reports cost as much as building the line will cost.

Do it NOW.
3

,

05/10/2008 00:45:48
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

A Scot in exile,

Canada 05/10/2008 04:43:57
Whatever happened to the 425 (Edinburgh to London in 4 hours and 25 mins)? They're surely not talking about knocking 3 hours off THAT travelling time? I'd never believe Edinburgh to London in 1 1/2 hours!
5

Mercutio,

FALKIRK 05/10/2008 05:57:26
Who is it that has plans for an Edinburgh-London rail link apart from the headline hack employed by this newspaper?
6

David55,

London 05/10/2008 14:02:07
This is probably about the most important transport infrastructure project for Scotland.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4882175.ece

I'm glad to see the SNP are backing it. Under Labour, it was seen as low priority.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article658516.ece

Hopefully it actually happens at some stage. Personally, I would love to be able to get regular trains from Edinburgh to London that took under 3 hours.
7

Brian Hill,

05/10/2008 14:16:17
There were a couple of programmes about the railways on BBC 2 or 4 the other night, the second being with Ian Hislop.

During the programe they showed a map of Britain as its burgeoning railway net expended. It made it quite clear, as if we didn't already know, that the better the transport system the wealthier the area served became. (needless to say England was much better served than Scotland....no change there then!)

That's why we need a decent road and high speed rail network not just from London to Scotland central but all the way up to Inverness.
8

Fairfax,

05/10/2008 14:36:07
Brian Hill (8): "That's why we need a decent road and high speed rail network not just from London to Scotland central but all the way up to Inverness."

Would this be of any economic advantage to England if Scotland secedes in, say, 2012? After all, some 90% of the UK tax take comes from England. Surely it would be better to leave such large-scale infrastructure until after the Scottish independence referendum, with Scottish roads paid for by Scottish taxes, and similarly for English roads.
9

Brad,

Glasgow 06/10/2008 11:45:26
#8, "better the transport system the wealthier the area served became". You'd rather drive or take the train around SE England than Scotland??? You must be crazy.

There are more people in England than Scotland, hence more railways.

 

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