Edinburgh East MP Sheila Gilmore today reiterated her backing for High Speed Two, emphasising that passengers in Scotland will benefit from reduced journey times immediately.
This followed her submitting her response to the consultation on Phase Two of the project, which will extent the line from London to Birmingham on to Leeds and Manchester. It also comes ahead of an important vote in parliament on Phase One on Thursday.
Under the Government’s current plans phase one from London to the West Midlands will be up and running by 2026. Phase two will extend the line to Leeds and Manchester by 2033/34. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 250mph.
Passengers in Scotland will benefit immediately as the high speed network will be linked to existing lines, meaning trains will continue up to Edinburgh and Glasgow at conventional speeds. Once the second phase is complete, the Edinburgh to London journey will be cut by an hour to 3 hours 30 minutes.
Sheila Gilmore said:-‘Passengers in Scotland will benefit from HS2 immediately as it will be linked to existing lines, meaning trains will continue up to Edinburgh and Glasgow at conventional speeds.’
‘Once the first phase from London to Birmingham is complete in 2026, the Edinburgh to London journey will be cut by 30 minutes. Once the second phase to Leeds and Manchester is finished in 2033, this time-saving will rise to an hour.’
‘Improving links with London and England’s other major conurbations will make Scotland a more attractive place to do business, which will boost jobs and growth.’
‘In addition it will allow for genuine competition with air travel, encouraging modal shift to rail and lowering our carbon emissions.’
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