TRAVEL between London and central Scotland could be cut to just over three hours should HS2 link with Scotland rail industry firms have claimed.
A new report by the High Speed Rail Group called for a programme of investment to upgrade existing lines and build new sections of track to improve cross-border connectivity.
While the group insisted there was a “sound economic case” for encouraging people to take the train when travelling between Scotland and England more often, the report did not provide an estimated cost of the measures needed to provide three-hour travel between Glasgow, Edinburgh and London
The fastest train services currently take around four and a half hours for London to Glasgow and four hours and 20 minutes for London to Edinburgh.
The report, entitled High-Speed Rail and Scotland, stated that journeys on both routes lasting three hours and 10 minutes are possible if the measures it recommends are implemented.
Measures include a major upgrade of junctions between Crewe and Preston., a new line from Carstairs and Rutherglen and a fast approach from there to Glasgow Central.
The report also states that Newcastle Central would have to be upgraded to accommodate longer trains and a new line created from the Dunbar area to Edinburgh.
HS2 is planned to initially run between London and Birmingham, before being extended to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds, but high-speed trains will also serve destinations on conventional lines beyond the core network.
The firm developing the railway, HS2 Ltd, estimates that journeys between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh will take three hours and 40 minutes under current plans.
Jim Steer, author of High Speed Rail Group’s report, said it is “essential” that the UK focuses on a “green recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “Over the past two months we have all seen the positive impact on air quality and the environment.
“While we now focus on our economic recovery, we cannot lose sight of the carbon-cutting goals we have set ourselves.
“As transport is now the largest contributor to the UK’s emissions, the sector has a duty to act quickly and decisively to reduce them.”
The UK Government has a policy of reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, while the Scottish Government has set a target date of 2045.
The HS2 plan has been marred in difficulties over the years, with expenses stretching far beyond their initial estimates of £55bn.
It also emerged today that a ministerial task force set up to keep oversight of the project has met just once since the first phase of the project was given the go-ahead in February.
HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson told MPs the meeting took place at the end of April.
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