Posted 13th November 2012 | 8 Comments
New High Speed plan for Scotland
Edinburgh, above, would be brought within 30 minutes of Glasgow by the new line
HIGH SPEED trains could be operating between Glasgow and Edinburgh by 2024, following a decision by the Scottish Government to examine the development of such a link independently of the project to build HS2 south of the border.
It is said that a line linking the two main cities in the central belt could be worth as much as £25 billion to the Scottish economy and discussions will now take place between key parties, including representatives of the rail industry.
The new link as presently envisaged would reduce the journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow to about half an hour, compared with 45 to 50 minutes at present. The line would allow trains to run at 225km/h, although the main HS2 network between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester is being planned to cater for speeds of up to 400km/h.
The first section of HS2 between London and Birmingham is due to open in 2026, but there are currently no firm plans to extend the new English High Speed network across the border.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would not wait for HS2 to be extended to Scotland.
She added: "Within just 12 years, we could build a line which will see journey times between our two major cities cut to less than half an hour. That will benefit our businesses, our jobs market and also our tourism industry, and it will put us up there with the world's greatest transport networks.
"The Scottish government will now enter into talks with partners to see how we can work together to see this vision realised – a Glasgow-Edinburgh High Speed line which can connect to the network from England."
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Billy Bell, Beith, UK
SNP carrot which will be swiftly pulled away when reality hits. Just look at their previous form - Glasgow airport link, cancelled! Edinburgh airport link, cancelled! Edinburgh - Glasgow improvement program, cut!
Scottish National independence Party (SNiP)
Philip Russell, Carlisle
These two cities allready have 4 different routes linking so spending billions on a brand new fifth route would surely not be the best rail investment idea for scotland or its taxpayers
Michael Turbervil, London
LGV line from Edinburgh Waverley, to Edinburgh Airport, to Glasgow (connecting Queen street to Central - deep level) to Glasgow Airport to Prestwick Airport and down to the English boarder would be the top end of the English high speed network. A journey from Prestwick to Edinburgh Airport in 15 minutes would make all three airports - virtually ONE.
and a spur from both Glasgow and Edinburgh to Stirling/Dundee/Aberdeen and Inverness - would at >400kph speeds would make even commuting from Inverness to Glasgow or Edinburgh on a daily basis - feasible.
IF the Chinese can build such LGV's - then SO can we - Especially as the current gov't interest rate to borrow for 30, 50, 100 years is 1% of at most 2%. Why are we squandering that on NOTHINGNESS.....
Andrew, Lenzie
What nonsense - this is the same Scottish Gov't who have cut back the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) which would've resulted in a best journey time of 35min between those cities plus electrification of my local service. I'd rather have EGIP than HS Scotland.
Jamie, Sheffield (formerly of Farnborough)
Good on Scotland! A line that doesn't centre on, or in any way involve, London, what a novelty! By the 2030s, Britain could have at least 4 high speed lines (I count the whole 'Y' as 2 separate lines) which would be massive progress. But in the period after this line is built but before HS2 is finished, the UK's high speed rail map will look very odd :)
The Scottish govt could also build a line south from the central belt to the border in order to encourage the DfT to bring HS2 to them.
My only concern is who will fund it? Will it be the Scottish themselves or will it be the Treasury, a matter of considerable importance given the approaching independence referendum.
Tony Pearce, Reading
I suggest they don't consider any more rail schemes until they've sorted out the Edinburgh Tram cock-up. The key word in their statement is 'Vision'. Be warned. An economic case is never a 'Vision' but well calculated with risks identified. 'Visions' are un-costed pipe-dreams - this one routed in Scottish Nationalism.
Richard, Hawick
How many links between Edinburgh and Glasgow are needed and at what speed. This cost of this vanity project could electrify central belt or Aberdeen or both.
Jim Campbell, Birmingham
High Speed Glasgow to Edinburgh?
Smack in the eye for those who claim London & BIrmingham are too close to need such a link, despite the fact it is only phase 1 on the way north.