Transport Commitee Report Is Good New
For Scottish High Speed Rail

Wednesday 9th November

Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) have welcomed today’s publication of the report of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee on High Speed Rail (HSR).  SCC were the only Scottish business organisation to appear before the Committee during its inquiry and believe that this report brings High Speed Rail a step closer to Scotland.  Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“It is vitally important that Westminster’s Transport Select Committee have recognised the need for High Speed Rail to extend to Scotland and that the maximum benefit of this investment will only be achieved through the creation of a truly UK wide network.

“Scotland faces increasing pressures in terms of our cross border transport options following the proposed takeover of BMI services by BA, and capacity constrictions on our conventional rail network mean that it is only through High Speed Rail that we can materially broaden the availability of travel services between Scotland and England.

“The Transport Committee have rightly stated that the Scottish Government have an important role to play in preparing for the advent of High Speed Rail in Scotland, but the Scottish Transport Minister is also right to call for the remit of HS2 Ltd’s HSR study to be extended to Scotland.  This is essential to ensure a consistent approach throughout the UK.

“We believe that the publication of this report brings High Speed Rail a little closer to reality in Scotland and SCC will continue to work with Governments north and south of the border to ensure that this happens sooner rather than later.”

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