Scottish Greens leader reconsiders rail link
Ferry Online Travel News 29/12/2008
The Scottish Greens co-leader has become ‘ambivalent’ over the high-speed link between England and Scotland.
According to Patrick Harvie MSP, although the proposed high-speed link between Edinburgh, Glasgow and London may have its environmental benefits, he’s not sure that it’s the best use of funds. He said recently: "The more I look at it the more ambivalent I become."
Harvie noted that it’s already possible to make the rail journey in less than four hours, adding: "Is 20 years and £20-30 billion the best investment to bring it down to three hours? Would commuters relying on suburban routes prefer the money used there rather than to reopen stations?"
The MSP has stressed that his ambivalence may not reflect the view of others on the committee he leads – the transport, infrastructure and climate change committee.
Currently, the committee is collecting evidence regarding the potential benefits of the link, which some are saying could benefit the Scottish economy by as much as £7 billion.
Harvie said: "If the UK Government decides to go ahead with it as an alternative to expansion at Gatwick and Heathrow, then the benefits are pretty clear. But if it's as the business lobby want – more of everything – that's not going to be viable."
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