CIHT Scotland have today released a position statement supporting the delivery of a high speed rail network for the whole of the UK.  The statement drafted by members of the CIHT Scottish Policy Forum states ‘CIHT in Scotland supports the delivery of a high speed rail network for the whole of the UK.  This is vital to secure the UK's future competitiveness and economic prosperity.  While the investment case for high speed rail is strong, it is even more compelling when Scotland is an inherent part of it.’  

The statement comes in the week that the Secretary of State for Scotland published a command paper setting out the government’s plans for Phase Two of HS2.  The Command Paper also sets out the government’s thinking on:

Phase Two of the route covers the full ‘Y’ network from Birmingham onwards to Manchester and Leeds and includes details of the government’s plans to accelerate the delivery of Phase 2a from Fradley (at the point where HS2 Phase One joins the West Coast Main Line) to Crewe by 6 years earlier than originally planned.  The Government has also published several papers relating to Phase 2a, including the: strategic case; the economic case; and an independent paper by Atkins on the Rail alternatives to HS2 Phase 2a.

During questioning in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Transport’s announcement that the high-speed rail will reach Crewe six years earlier than planned, was welcomed by the SNP.  However, Drew Hendry (SNP), asked Patrick McLoughlin to turn the aspiration for a three-hour journey time between the central belt in Scotland and London to a commitment. Mr McLoughlin told the House that “the UK and the Scottish Governments are working closely together to consider options to reduce journey times further, and HS2 is doing further work on that. I hope to make a statement on the next steps in the new year.”
 

To view the full statement click here.