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MINISTER URGES SCOTLAND TO BACK HIGH SPEED RAIL

Government Communications (NDS)

17 March 2011

The Government is proposing a 'Y' shaped high speed rail network stretching from London to Manchester and Leeds, from there connections onto existing lines would enable direct high speed services to Scotland, cutting current typical journey times from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh by an hour. The Government is now working with the Scottish Government to explore how journey times to Scotland could be further reduced.Transport Minister Norman Baker said:"High speed rail has the potential to shrink the UK and bring our great cities closer together in a way that has never been possible before."HS2 would deliver significant benefits for Scotland, which must not be ignored. Our proposed line runs from London to Leeds and Manchester, but experience in Europe has taught us that high speed rail networks are built in stages. If this network is to be built and if Scotland is to link up to it, it is vital that we hear vocal support now and that everybody understands the transformational impact it would have on the economy." The Department for Transport estimates the cost of the complete 'Y' shaped network at £32bn and expects it to generate economic benefits of around £44bn and fare revenues of around £27bn over a 60-year period. The proposed network would be delivered in two phases - the first a line from London to the West Midlands, and the second the onward legs to Manchester and Leeds. The Government is currently holding a public consultation its proposals for high speed rail which runs until 29th July 2011.