Feasibility studies are being commissioned to look at how rail services can be improved between Scotland and England, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Speaking to business leaders in Newcastle, Sturgeon said the studies will examine solutions to improve ‘journey times, capacity, resilience and reliability’ on cross-border services.
A shortlist of options to improve rail services on the east and west coast routes has already been drawn up and the next phase of the project will see these options analysed and costed.
Looking for a new job in the UK rail industry? Click here to begin your journey.
The studies will look at the East Coast main line (ECML) south of Dunbar towards Newcastle and the West Coast main line (WCML) between Glasgow and Carstairs.
Today’s announcement said the study will also look at possible new cross-border stations within the Eurocentral business park and near Livingston.
Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am determined for us to take the necessary steps to secure Scotland’s future and improve our connectivity with England.
“This work will provide us with the knowledge to make informed investments in the next 10 years and move us towards our goal of a three-hour journey time to London and substantially reduced journey times to the cities in between.”
Read more: Contractors invited to tender for Edinburgh tram extension
