June 2009 - Scottish stakeholder group established to develop a Scottish Strategic Business Case for high speed rail. October 2009 - Business Case submitted to HS2. April 2010 - HS2 instructed to examine the potential for expanding high-speed services to Scotland. August 27, 2010 - Edinburgh and Glasgow cities welcome Network Rail and Greengauge 21 reports which make a strong case for a north-south HSR network and highlight the benefits which will be realised by including Glasgow and Edinburgh. December 21, 2010 - It is announced that direct trains could run from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the continent under revised plans for a high-speed rail network published by the UK Government. February, 2011 - DfT propose that a new high speed line will be built between London and Birmingham by 2026. The UK Government's preferred network option for taking High Speed Rail north of Birmingham is a 'Y' shaped network as far as Manchester and Leeds. However, while high speed trains may come to Scotland, high speed track will stop short of the border. Current proposals leave Glasgow and Edinburgh a minimum of three and a half hours from London by the early 2030's. July, 2011 - Scottish Government Response to DfT's consultation on its national strategy for High Speed Rail. 2011 - Scottish Partnership Group (SPG) formed to refresh the overall business case for high speed rail to Scotland. Meetings scheduled for August 26, 2011, September 16, 2011, October 7, 2011 and October 28, 2011. |