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Scottish inter-urban high speed link ‘vital’
September, 2009
The introduction of high-speed rail between Edinburgh and Glasgow is vital for stimulating long term sustainable economic growth, according to a study commissioned by SPT.
Academics from Glasgow, Southampton and Plymouth Universities were involved, along with consultants Geoeconomics Ltd, Atkins and Faithful and Gould.
Dr Iain Docherty, who led the study, said the Glasgow-Edinburgh economy was unusual when compared with the rest of the UK as it has its own unique skill set.
This, he added, made the case for an inter-urban high speed link between the two cities in its own right even stronger.
He said: “Several European Governments, and the US, are accelerating new investment in transport infrastructure – including high-speed rail – in response to the economic crisis.
“A high-speed rail route between Glasgow and Edinburgh could certainly help compensate for the considerable expected decline in levels of private sector investment over the short to medium term.”
The benefit of the current Edinburgh Glasgow Rail Improvement Programme, announced by the Scottish Government in September 2007, has been measured at between £800million and £1billion.
High-speed rail between Glasgow and Edinburgh would achieve additional benefits of between £1billion-£4billion. It would also achieve an increase in capacity and stimulate further demand.
The study also found that Glasgow’s Central Station, Queen Street Station and the area around St Enoch are all viable options for a high-speed rail terminus.
Central or Queen Street stations allow for north or south approaches into the city centre. On an east/west axis, a terminus in the vicinity of St Enoch would also allow equal opportunity for connections at both mainline stations and the Subway.
Researchers found that all routes are viable for development either as surface or elevated systems, with elevated surface stations.
This would allow for minimal impact on the historic elements of the city centre as services would use existing rail corridors.
An underground service was assessed but considered to be vastly expensive due to the costs of tunnelling under Glasgow city centre, and the major above ground disruption this would bring.
SPT’s Chairman Alistair Watson said a link between Scotland’s two main cities was essential for future growth.
He said: “There have been well-defined proposals for a high speed link between Scotland and London, and that is something SPT has long campaigned for.
“However, we also believe there is a pressing need for the Glasgow-Edinburgh city region to be united by high speed connections.
“As this study shows, such a link is a vital necessity for Scotland if we are to compete with the best of Europe's city regions."