The Scottish Government has been told it must begin building a high-speed rail line to connect Scotland and England.
Transport Futures, which involves representatives from local authorities around the UK as well as other bodies such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, met in Dundee last week and told the Scottish Government it needs to connect to the high speed rail network as soon as it is possible.
The UK Government wants to build a high-speed link between London and Birmingham by 2026, for an initial cost of £17 billion, then extend it to Manchester and Leeds by 2033. However, as transport is a devolved issue the UK Government has not mentioned any plans to extend it to Scotland.
If it was built, the 250mph train line would cut travel times between Edinburgh and London to 3 hours.
Councillor Harold Davenport, who represents the East Cheshire ward, said a clear message had been sent to the Scottish Government.
”The suggestion we are making as Transport Futures is that the Scottish Government should be looking at bringing forward the date of starting construction of a high-speed rail network.
”It would pay for itself quickly and the business case for the whole country is so much better if it extends to Glasgow or Edinburgh rather than stopping at Manchester or Birmingham.
”We can’t afford not to build it.”
Roy Begg, a councillor from Larne, said a high-speed rail network linking England and Scotland would also benefit Northern Ireland.
He said: ”Work in Scotland should start at the same time as work in England. Anything that speeds up travel is going to indirectly be beneficial to Northern Ireland.”
Dundee City Council city development convener Will Dawson chaired the Transport Futures meeting at the City Chambers on Friday.
Plans for a high-speed rail network were announced by the previous Labour government in 2009.
Although the coalition government is to continue with the plan, construction is not expected to begin until after 2015.