Capital spending worth up to £60 billion will mean substantial investment in Scotland’s rail network and the dualling of road network between all of Scotland’s cities, Alex Neil has confirmed.

The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment made the pledge as he published the SNP Government’s Infrastructure and Investment Plan, which details plans for up to £60 billion of spending right up until 2030.

Key points include:

* On transport - the Scottish Government will dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025, with a view to completing dualling of the A96 and the dualled road network between all our cities by 2030; complete construction of replacement crossing over the Firth of Forth by 2016, and invest in substantial rail improvements, reducing journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow, from Aberdeen to the central belt, Aberdeen to Inverness and on the Highland Main line;

* The plan includes high speed rail, and estimates a cost of £15 billion for completion of the route, from North West England to Scotland, with a Scottish contribution of £8 – 9 billion. Ministers will continue to press for this to come to Scotland at the earliest opportunity, although final decisions on timing and route rest with the Westminster Government;

* On digital - by 2020 we will deliver next generation broadband to all;

* On health – through to 2030 the Scottish Government will continue to invest in property, medical equipment, IT and vehicles to support patient-centred, safe and effective healthcare; including delivering specific projects such as the Southern General Hospital Glasgow and the Sick Kids in Edinburgh;

* On education – by 2018 the vast majority of Scotland’s children will benefit from good learning environments, and by 2016 students in Glasgow, Inverness and Kilmarnock will benefit from new colleges; and

* On housing – through to 2030 the Scottish Government will deliver a step change in the provision of energy efficient homes through new-build programmes and the retrofitting of existing homes, including our commitment to deliver 30,000 homes over the life of this Parliament.

Mr Neil said:

“Investing in our infrastructure is absolutely vital to grow our economy. Today’s Infrastructure Investment Plan demonstrates exactly how, when and what we will invest in to deliver that goal, bringing substantial benefits for all of Scotland.

“It outlines more than 50 key infrastructure projects across a range of sectors. These are projects that will make a real difference economically – driving growth, supporting jobs and delivering a lasting legacy of generations to come.

“We have been crystal clear that we view capital investment as the vital foundation to lead us out of tough economic times. That is why, against the back drop of Westminster cuts in our capital budget, the Scottish Government has switched spending from revenue to capital and put in place a £2.5 billion Non-Profit Distributing pipeline. As a consequence of Scottish Government spending decisions, total capital spending in Scotland will rise by 25 per cent by 2014-15.

“Our clear commitment to dual the routes between all of our major cities by 2030 and complete the dualling of the A9 by 2025 goes further than any previous administration in Scotland. These improved connections will provide a huge boost for Scotland’s economic future and will be particularly welcomed by the construction and civil engineering sectors.

“Similarly, improvements in our rail network will provide both benefits to travellers, and a long term boost for our economy. Inclusion of High Speed Rail highlights our commitment to the Scottish end of the project. We now need Westminster to act and include Scotland in their plans.

“The Plan is also clear about our commitment to build new schools, colleges, hospitals and health facilities the length and breadth of Scotland.

“We will do this by using innovative financing methods, driving maximum value for every single pound of taxpayers’ money. That is crucial in the face of Westminster cuts.

“And we will utilise whatever borrowing powers we are able to access over coming years. Indeed, if the UK Government listens to our calls for more substantial and immediate powers than contained in the Scotland Bill, we could do even more.”

Welcoming the plan SNP MSP and Deputy Convener of the Infrastructure Committee Jamie Hepburn called on the UK to match that commitment with a guarantee of bringing high speed rail as far as Scotland.

Mr Hepburn said:

“This is a major programme of investment that will take Scotland forward into the next decade and build the kind of Scotland we all want to see.

“This programme invests over £60 billion in Scotland’s future and will support and create thousands of jobs across Scotland in construction and in the wider economy as we work our way to a strong economic recovery.

“Investment in rail is a major part of the plan.  Improving services across the central belt and connections to Inverness, the Highlands and Aberdeen will bring Scotland’s railway system up to scratch for the 21st century.

“What would make a huge difference to Scotland’s infrastructure and bring real benefit to business is for the UK Government to match Scotland’s commitment to a high speed link from London to Edinburgh.

“The UK Government must match Scotland’s commitment and bring the line past Birmingham and up to Scotland.

“The SNP is committed to providing the funding for the high speed line in Scotland but that line must have a service to connect with.

“The failure of successive UK Government’s to commit to bringing high speed rail to Scotland shows how little concern they have had for the connections between the two countries.  A High speed line would cut flights, increase the use of public transport and the most effective way to make it profitable is to bring it to Scotland.

“The SNP has made our commitment clear it is now time for the UK Government to match it.”