England and Scotland Rail Links

Danny Alexander
10. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for high speed rail links between England and Scotland.

Paul Clark
The Government are looking at the need for additional transport capacity as part of the new approach to planning set out in the October 2007 document Towards a Sustainable Transport System. While Network Rail are reviewing the case for new lines as one option, increased capacity and enhancements to the existing network are equally important as shown by the £8.8 billion investment on upgrading the West Coast Main Line, leading to reduced travel times.

Miss McIntosh
12. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for high speed rail links between England and Scotland.

Paul Clark
The Government are looking at the need for additional transport capacity as part of the new approach to planning set out in the October 2007 document ‘Towards a Sustainable Transport System’. While Network Rail are reviewing the case for new lines as one option, increased capacity and enhancements to the existing network are equally important as shown by the £8.8 billion investment on upgrading the West Coast Main Line, leading to reduced travel times.