Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, will confirm that ministers intend to fund a 250mph line starting in the Central Belt at the same time as work takes place on a new fast route in England.

It follows concern that Scotland has so far been sidelined from the high-speed rail revolution that has promised to transform intercity travel in England.

The announcement marks a major policy shift for the Scottish Government, which had previously complained about the time it would take for a route to reach Scotland after starting in the UK capital.

However, work on a Scottish leg is only likely to get under way after 2025, as money has already been earmarked for dualling the remainder of the A9 between Perth and Inverness
(Permalink) A9 High Speed