Call for HS2 to Benefit Scotland

That the Parliament notes the announcement that the planned HS2 Golborne Link will be removed from the proposals in the High-Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill; understands that the link would have increased the number of HS2 services travelling to Glasgow Central and decreased journey times to and from Scotland; believes that, with the rising costs of fuel and the environmental imperative for cleaner, greener forms of public transport, it is vital that Scotland is connected to London and other major UK cities with high speed, reliable rail services; condemns the decision to cancel this part of the HS2 project without what it sees as an adequate alternative to increase the speed and frequency of services to and from Scotland, and urges the Scottish Government to meet urgently with its UK counterparts to ensure that the quality and level of rail services needed to connect Scotland with the rest of the Great Britain are put in place as part of the HS2 project.