Campaigners have warned that the lack of a direct rail link between Perth and the capital could hold the city back as it prepares for a period of unprecedented expansion.
Talks with Transport Scotland have broken down once again, with the government agency claiming there is “no business case” for the £1 billion scheme.
Reopening the direct Perth to Edinburgh rail line could, however, reduce travel times between Edinburgh and the north by up to 30 minutes, making it a more attractive alternative to driving.
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite believes good connectivity will be a “key factor” in helping to grow the region’s economy.
They also intend to highlight the apparent disparity between road and rail priorities, with
concerns over “business case” having apparently been set aside due to the political desire for the £3 billion A9 dualling project.
National sustainable transport alliance Transform Scotland will join politicians and councillors in a bid to drive home to the agency and Transport Minister Keith Brown the “vital” need for Scotland’s newest city to have 21st century rail links.
Perth itself is preparing to welcome an influx of business and investment in the wake of its new city status.
Also the wider Perth and Kinross region is set for a population explosion, with the number of residents predicted to leap by up to 21% over the next 20 years.
In light of that Transform Scotland board member Paul Tetlaw said the Government’s stance was “very disappointing” but he pledged to continue to fight for the link.
“Transport Scotland continues to parrot the same line about there being “no business case”, despite apparent interest from Mr Brown,” he told The Courier.
“Nonetheless, we already have another meeting planned as we believe this is by far the biggest missing link in the Scottish transport network.
“It is important to support growing areas such as Perth and Kinross and crucially to link key centres of population. To get from Perth to Edinburgh by train currently requires a circuitous journey around the Fife coast.
“It takes far longer than travelling by road and is therefore far from an attractive alternative.”
Campaigners believe that the reintroduction of a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh could reduce travel times by more than 30 minutes.
The move would benefit not only communities in Perth and Kinross but also those to the north, such as Inverness.
Mr Tetlaw added: “The Government is very bullish about road-building, with £3 billion dedicated to the dualling of the A9.
“That too has no “business case” according to Transport Scotland’s own analysis tools for assessing transport investment. It is very much a political ambition for which there is perhaps more of an emotional case rather than a business case.
“It shows that if there is a political will the criteria can be set aside and that Transport Scotland will then make the Scottish Ministers wishes a reality.
“This is something that we will continue to lobby the Scottish Government about.”
Also behind the direct rail link is Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.
“Good connectivity is a key factor in helping to grow the economy in Perthshire,” Ms Unite said.
Kinross-shire councillor Mike Barnacle said the case for the rail link was clear.
“There is a significant volume of commuter traffic between Kinross and Edinburgh each day and the number of workers making that journey is increasing,” he said. “In addition, Perth has aspirations of becoming a real visitor destination.”