Scotland's Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has said "High Speed rail can strengthen its case and silence the critics by extending further and faster."

The Minister was speaking prior to his appearance at a rail industry conference, where he will emphasise why developing a further reaching network that extends north to Scotland, is the only, logical way forward.

Mr Brown explained: "The UK Government's case for High Speed Rail has come under recent scrutiny in terms of its value. Key commentators, such as the Public Audit Committee, predict real business case challenges ahead if the current proposal for a network stretching only as far as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds is progressed.

-- Advertisement --

"This Scottish Government has long argued the high speed network must include Scotland to bring the strongest economic benefits – that remains the case and one which can silence HS2's current critics.

"I would challenge and encourage Patrick McLoughlin to use the strongest argument for HS2 available, for its inclusion of Scotland.

"Scotland's economic output is already higher than any area of Britain outside of London and the South East, it simply makes sense to extend the high speed network further north, the sooner the better. By encouraging further income generation, skills, universities and creativity, we can strengthen the region as one of great economic hubs of the UK and the world."

"This is a real opportunity to shake up current thinking on the way forward for HS2 and to present as robust a case as can be developed. There is a bigger and better case for high speed rail than has been made by the UK Government so far. By planning now to connect Scotland to a high speed network, we can put to bed these arguments about costs and benefits," he added.

(JP/CD)