A PRESSURE group says a rail junction upgrade could cut the journey time between Glasgow and Edinburgh to less than an hour.

Sustainable transport alliance Transform Scotland has called on Network Rail to give greater attention to the Edinburgh to Glasgow route via Carstairs, in Lanarkshire.

The demand is part of its response to Network Rail's consultation on the Edinburgh- Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

Transform Scotland spokesman Paul Tetlaw, said improvements to services via Carstairs and Shotts were needed.

He added: "Both these routes require improvements to offer real choice to travellers across the Central Belt.

"It is imperative that a sub one-hour journey time is delivered."

Transform Scotland suggests remodelling Carstairs as a rail hub and said the 15mph speed limit through Carstairs Junction was "archaic" and affected all trains there.

Mr Tetlaw added: "Carstairs should be developed as a hub for communities in Upper Clydesdale and the western Borders.

"Increasing the speed limit through improvements to the track would cut five or six minutes from the journey, bringing the journey time between Glasgow and Edinburgh to under an hour, around 55 minutes."

Network Rail's first phase of consultation on the EGIP plans ends in January.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "The EGIP consultation welcomes all submissions."

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk