The Scottish Government will invest at least £50million to enhance cross-border Caledonian sleeper rail services.

Scottish Ministers have put the funding forward to see the services operate with a number of improvements.

This surpasses the recent offer made by the Treasury of £50milllion for the service, if it could be matched by the Scottish Government.

Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown said: "The Scottish Government provides significant support for the Caledonian sleepers through the existing ScotRail franchise and it was always our intention to ensure a continuing and improving service for passengers beyond 2014.

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"I am delighted to now confirm that we have submitted proposals to the Treasury that will see us invest, as a minimum, £50million to ensure that the Caledonian sleepers are enhanced to offer better facilities and a more responsive service to passenger needs.

"This comes on top of our already record levels of investment in Scotland’s railways, including the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and Borders railway.

"I now await the decision of the Treasury on whether it will stick to its promise and make the funding available to maximise the improvements to the service.

"That ethos of offering the best possible experience for passengers is at the heart of our current Rail2014 consultation, which gives passengers the opportunity to have their say on how our trains operate beyond the current franchise which ends in 2014.

"For this reason, I would urge everyone with an interest in Scotland’s railways to participate in the consultation and play their part in shaping the future of our rail services."

(GK)