Commenting on the publication of advice to the Scottish Government from the Scottish Partnership Group on High Speed Rail, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“This is an important contribution to the ongoing campaign to bring High Speed Rail to Scotland.  With the UK Government having given a firm go-ahead for the HS2 line between London and the West Midlands, it is imperative that Scotland does not get left behind and end up proportionately further away from London than we are already.  We must be beneficiaries, not victims, of High Speed Rail.

“The advice of the Scottish Partnership Group gives considerable weight to the argument that work on High Speed Rail in Scotland should commence alongside work on HS2 in England in order to ensure that Scotland joins the HSR network at the earliest opportunity.  This was raised by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee in its report last year, but the UK Government have consistently dodged this issue.

“The sooner HS2 Ltd are instructed to investigate plans for High Speed Rail in Scotland the better.  Scotland can deliver real economic benefits from investment in High Speed Rail and the sooner it is delivered, the better for business.”

Ends.

Garry Clark

Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Scottish Chambers of Commerce