Letter to the editor: cross-border trains

Our cross-border railways play a vital role in supporting Scotland’s economy, connecting businesses and families, moving freight from our roads and making cities more attractive places to live, visit and invest in.

As competition for jobs and skills intensifies, particularly among major city regions, it is critical that Glasgow and Edinburgh do not lose out in rail connectivity improvements to competitor cities such as Manchester and Birmingham.

We are greatly concerned that there currently is no confirmed infrastructure investment that will reduce journey times between Scotland’s Central Belt and London to below four hours and planned investments are unlikely to take effect for more than a decade. As we await the “reset” of HS2, we call on both UK and Scotland Governments to work together to put a clear investment plan in place that will accelerate journey times and expand capacity in line with demand. Strengthening this vital transport connections between our two countries should be seen as part of an investment strategy that supports the transition to net zero and a more prosperous economic future.

Sara Thiam (Prosper)

Liz Cameron (Scottish Chambers of Commerce)

Marc Crothall (Scottish Tourism Alliance)

Colin Howden (Transform Scotland)