Plans for high speed train line to Scotland in danger

The Scottish transport secretary has warned that Labour's failure to gather a detailed report on the proposed high speed London to Glasgow rail link could mean that Scotland misses out on the link.

The government commissioned report contains detailed information on the line up until the West Midlands with the route planned to within 250 yards.

However, the company responsible for the line, HS2, have admitted that the 12 month period they were given by the Labour government to research and present their plans was too short to compile all the necessary information.

Angus MacNeil SNP said: “To halt the line in the West Midlands would put the buffers on the economic advantages that could be brought north of the border by this service.”

He also highlighted the environmental impact that the line would have, citing a reduction of short haul flights thanks to the shorter journey time.

MacNeil also criticised the Conservative policy for the line to extend only as far as Leeds, saying that it “would make little dent in the flight reduction which they claim their policy is aimed at”.

The high speed rail line, which is being strongly pushed by Secretary of State for transport Lord Adonis, has been picked up by Labour as a significant party policy in their election manifesto.

Lord Adonis has also spoken to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with the view to reach a cross-party agreement that will ensure the plans are pushed forward.

The HS2 line would run at 250mph and would cost £60 billion to complete. If the full plan was to go ahead, the new trains would be built to European Union specification, following similar projects in France, Germany and Spain.

Lord Adonis also hopes that the new trains will be able to run on the present lines so that the country will reap the benefits of the trains from day one.

Although the proposed line would cut down short haul flights, environmental campaigners are worried that the countryside would be affected by the new trains.

The line would run through the Chilterns, which is considered one of the most desirable areas in England and home to many notable figures including Tony Blair.

A government response will come in March of this year and will be followed by a public consultation this autumn.