Rail

SNP Campaign Conference in Aviemore has today (Sunday) passed an emergency topical resolution urging the UK Government to make extending high speed rail to Scotland a priority, not an afterthought.

SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP has demanded assurances from the UK Government following the announcement that the current franchise on the East Coast main line will terminate on 13 November and the service nationalised.

MSP Dave Thompson has led calls for improvements at ungated level crossings, and welcomed news that the Scottish Government was set to discuss the installation of barriers with Network Rail.

SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP has given a “cautious welcome” to an assurance from Transport Secretary Lord Adonis that he did not see cuts being made in the service on the East Coast main line north of Edinburgh under a new franchise.

Following the announcement of plans by the UK Government to build a third runway at Heathrow, SNP Westminster Environment spokesperson Mike Weir MP has called for clarity over references by the Transport Secretary to the development of new high-speed rail services between London and Scotland.

SNP MSP for Lothians Shirley-Anne Somerville today criticised Conservative plans for a high speed rail link from London to cut short haul flights that would go only as far as Leeds.