High Speed Rail is needed to improve our connection to the rest of the UK and Europe, and strengthen links between our cities. We are assessing the case for improving the routes between England and Scotland and also between Edinburgh and Glasgow. This would support economic growth by improving journey times, and the release of wider capacity on Scotland’s rail network. The routes for both elements of this project are yet to be defined, but further detail will become available during the lifetime of NPF3.

Implementation Lead(s): Scottish Government; Fast Track Scotland

Locations: Cities Network; Rural Area

Further reading:
High Speed Rail – Transport Scotland

Environmental Mitigation: Proposals remain at an early stage – Strategic Environmental Assessment of proposals to be undertaken at an appropriate stage in the process. Full strategic consideration of impacts on biodiversity, water, soil, cultural heritage, landscape, population and health will be required. Further Habitats Regulations Appraisal will be required.

Ongoing Activity and Milestones:
Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders (local authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships, Network Rail, business and civic organisations) through ‘High Speed Rail Scotland Group’.

2016 – Conclusion of a joint study between Transport Scotland, the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd, into bringing HS2 further and faster into Scotland. Link to reports are available on Transport Scotland’s Website

2017 – Ongoing work to identify infrastructure enhancement options that could be implemented between 2019 – 2029 to reduce journey times on routes between England and Scotland towards the Scottish and UK Governments’ shared ambition for three hour journeys between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh