UK Ultraspeed welcomes the letter from a group of influential Scottish figures, published in today’s Scotsman newspaper.  We particularly welcome the group’s careful wording, using the phrase ”high-speed rail/ground transport system” to avoid the prejudicial assumption that “high speed” means “rail”.

 

The text of the Letter is published verbatim below.

 

The decision of the Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, to set up a company to report on high-speed rail (your report, 16 January) is to be welcomed. There is an undeniable case for a high-speed rail/ground transport system being built in Britain.

 

The government's own figures suggest the west coast main line will reach full operating capacity by 2013. Further, in the context of global warming and climate change, a national high-speed system would address the problems associated with the unsustainable growth of short-haul air travel. If the government is not prepared to pay the cost of such infrastructure investment, the UK's major cities will continue to pay the price of failing to compete with their European counterparts. The government recently paid out billions to safeguard the future of a number of banks. The same resolution must be demonstrated in funding high-speed rail to help the UK play catch-up.

 

However, we disagree with Mr Hoon's plans as published. There cannot be a concept of high-speed rail which serves only London to Birmingham. Thus the company – High Speed 2 – should be charged with investigating the possibilities of Scotland to Birmingham via Manchester. The Scottish MPs and, in particular, the Scottish Affairs Select Committee must bring their influence to bear on the Transport Secretary to ensure due consideration is given to these proposals.

 

ALISTAIR WATSON, Chairman, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; RON CULLEY, Chief executive, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; DAVID WATT, Executive director, Institute of Directors Scotland; DOUGLAS MILLAR, Chief executive, Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce; MARTIN CHEYNE, Chief executive, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry; RICHARD CAIRNS, Chief executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; NEIL AMNER, Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; LIZ CAMERON, Executive director, Scottish Chamber of Commerce; GARRY CLARK, Head of policy and public affairs, Scottish Chamber of Commerce; CANDY MUNRO, Chief executive, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce; JOHN CORCORAN, Chief executive, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce; IAIN DUFF, Chief economist, SCDI