hkskyline
February 11th, 2006, 03:10 AM
Action urged on high-speed link
Transport chiefs want fast trains between cities
9 February 2006
Evening Times
TRANSPORT bosses want a high-speed rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh - and they don't want to wait years for it.
The call comes as exBritish Airways boss Rod Eddington looks at how transport projects can help economic growth for the Government.
Recent studies into a possible high-speed rail link suggest Scotland would wait years after a line was built north from London, stopping at Manchester, Liverpool or Yorkshire city.
Now Strathclyde Passenger Transport is calling for a separate highspeed link to connect Glasgow and Edinburgh.
When it is thought to be cost-effective, the English line would eventually be brought north to connect both cities to the south.
In a report to councillors, SPT's interim director-general Aidan O'Donnell said: "It is essential that sensible provision is made for both cities to benefit from high-speed rail.
"We would advocate that while the high-speed rail makes its likely slow progress north, a highspeed link is put in place between Glasgow and Edinburgh using the existing network."
The Government is to look into high-speed rail, which would have trains hitting speeds of more than 200mph and cut journey times between Glasgow and London to less than three hours.
Council leaders of Glasgow and Edinburgh have already met transport bosses to discuss the feasibility of a 100mph link between the cities.
Transport chiefs want fast trains between cities
9 February 2006
Evening Times
TRANSPORT bosses want a high-speed rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh - and they don't want to wait years for it.
The call comes as exBritish Airways boss Rod Eddington looks at how transport projects can help economic growth for the Government.
Recent studies into a possible high-speed rail link suggest Scotland would wait years after a line was built north from London, stopping at Manchester, Liverpool or Yorkshire city.
Now Strathclyde Passenger Transport is calling for a separate highspeed link to connect Glasgow and Edinburgh.
When it is thought to be cost-effective, the English line would eventually be brought north to connect both cities to the south.
In a report to councillors, SPT's interim director-general Aidan O'Donnell said: "It is essential that sensible provision is made for both cities to benefit from high-speed rail.
"We would advocate that while the high-speed rail makes its likely slow progress north, a highspeed link is put in place between Glasgow and Edinburgh using the existing network."
The Government is to look into high-speed rail, which would have trains hitting speeds of more than 200mph and cut journey times between Glasgow and London to less than three hours.
Council leaders of Glasgow and Edinburgh have already met transport bosses to discuss the feasibility of a 100mph link between the cities.