Economic competitiveness of North East Scotland could be jeopardised as a result of High Speed 2, a delegation of business leaders put to Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on Monday.

North East of Scotland Transport Partnership director Derick Murray and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) director James Bream met the Baroness in London. They discussed how to reduce what they say will be the project's negative impact on the region.

Baroness Kramer, who is leading a study into extending high speed rail services to Scotland, has stressed that the Government is willing to assist the region.

An HS2 report last year by auditor KPMG suggested that North East Scotland could suffer a loss of £220M in economic output, with Dundee expected to lose an additional £100M.

Mr Bream said he was concerned local businesses might relocate closer to high speed rail locations further south.

AGCC added that if proposals for a high speed link between Edinburgh and Glasgow are progressed, North East Scotland will lose out on investment for its rail services. It hopes to soften the forecasted negative impact of HS2 by securing air links to Heathrow and ensuring more efficient journey times on the East Coast Mainline.

Mr Murray said businesses in North East Scotland favour air travel to London, adding: “Our access to English regions and foreign markets depends strongly on maintaining access to Heathrow.”

(Photo: Bernt Rostad)

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