HIGH SPEED trains could be operating between Glasgow and Edinburgh by 2024, following a decision by the Scottish Government to examine the development of such a link independently of the project to build HS2 south of the border.
It is said that a line linking the two main cities in the central belt could be worth as much as £25 billion to the Scottish economy and discussions will now take place between key parties, including representatives of the rail industry.
The new link as presently envisaged would reduce the journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow to about half an hour, compared with 45 to 50 minutes at present. The line would allow trains to run at 225km/h, although the main HS2 network between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester is being planned to cater for speeds of up to 400km/h.
The first section of HS2 between London and Birmingham is due to open in 2026, but there are currently no firm plans to extend the new English High Speed network across the border.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would not wait for HS2 to be extended to Scotland.
She added: "Within just 12 years, we could build a line which will see journey times between our two major cities cut to less than half an hour. That will benefit our businesses, our jobs market and also our tourism industry, and it will put us up there with the world's greatest transport networks.
"The Scottish government will now enter into talks with partners to see how we can work together to see this vision realised – a Glasgow-Edinburgh High Speed line which can connect to the network from England."