Train journeys between Glasgow and London will be cut to just over three hours under new High Speed 2 (HS2) proposals to better connect Scotland and England.
A High Speed Rail Group report entitled 'High Speed Rail and Scotland' sets out how a mixture of new high speed lines and the upgrading of existing lines could enhance connectivity between the two nations - as well as cut travel time between London and Scotland to just over three hours.
And HS2, the firm developing the plans, confirm their intentions to see Glasgow become an integrated high speed station where passengers can catch HS2 trains and access the high speed network to the south.
Which would see journeys between London and Glasgow reduced from four hours 20 minutes to three hours and 40 minutes under current plans - although the report contains an 'interim target' rail journey time of three hours 10 minutes.
Provisional measures contained within the report to enable HS2 to meet the target include 400m platforms and segregated fast line approaches at Glasgow Central, HSR from Rutherglen to Carstairs and station modernisation at Carlisle and Preston.
The report also notes that, alongside cutting travel time, the upgrades would also pave the way for a significant reduction of carbon emissions in line with the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero target.
Report author Jim Steer said: “As the UK begins to emerge from Covid-19, the focus on a green recovery is essential. Over the past two months we have all seen the positive impact on air quality and the environment.
"While we now focus on our economic recovery, we cannot lose sight of the carbon-cutting goals we have set ourselves.
"As transport is now the largest contributor to the UK’s emissions, the sector has a duty to act quickly and decisively to reduce them.”
