SCOTLAND cannot afford to be left out of the UK High Speed Rail plans.
Business leaders and politicians in the city have long argued that Glasgow and Edinburgh must be included and the line built further north than Manchester and Leeds.
Today's announcement by the Scottish Government to begin preparations for a high-speed line between Scotland's two biggest cities is a step towards ensuring our country is not put at a disadvantage by having a transport network not fully connected to the most modern and fast networks available in England.
Instead of waiting for the line to inch north from London, the UK government must look at simultaneously starting construction from Scotland heading south.
The need for High Speed is something the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council is agreed on and can work effectively together in the interests of the country.
Nicola Sturgeon and Gordon Matheson have the backing of businesses railway officials and academics, who agree on the economic benefits of High Speed coming north.
Now the UK ministers have to recognise it is not just the south of England that should reap the benefits and a national transport policy must be just that, which means ensuring Scotland is a key part of the proposals.
SCOTLAND cannot afford to be left out of the UK High Speed Rail plans.
Business leaders and politicians in the city have long argued that Glasgow and Edinburgh must be included and the line built further north than Manchester and Leeds.
Today's announcement by the Scottish Government to begin preparations for a high-speed line between Scotland's two biggest cities is a step towards ensuring our country is not put at a disadvantage by having a transport network not fully connected to the most modern and fast networks available in England.
Instead of waiting for the line to inch north from London, the UK government must look at simultaneously starting construction from Scotland heading south.
The need for High Speed is something the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council is agreed on and can work effectively together in the interests of the country.
Nicola Sturgeon and Gordon Matheson have the backing of businesses railway officials and academics, who agree on the economic benefits of High Speed coming north.
Now the UK ministers have to recognise it is not just the south of England that should reap the benefits and a national transport policy must be just that, which means ensuring Scotland is a key part of the proposals.
