SNP MUST NOT DUCK RESPONSIBILITIES ON HIGH SPEED RAIL

12.00.00am GMT Thu 11th Mar 2010

Commenting as the UK Government publishes its high speed rail proposals, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"Scotland needs a high speed rail link between London and Edinburgh.

"But planning can't just stop there. Ministers in Edinburgh have a responsibility too. A high speed rail link to the capital won't help businesses in the north of the country.

"High-speed rail promises to cover the 330 plus miles between our two capitals in less than three hours. But travellers and commuters wanting to travel on to the capital of the highlands, Inverness, face another three hour journey to cover just 120 miles. That's the same journey time for half the distance.

"The Scottish Transport Minister needs to make sure that high-speed rail from London is met in Scotland by a much improved Scottish train system, which gets people all around the country quickly. The SNP must not duck their own rail responsibilities."

Ends.