Please note that the call for views is now closed and this page contains historic information.

Closing date for submissions - 17 October 2008

What do you think could be the potential economic and environmental benefits from the development of a high-speed rail link network?     What would be the costs of any new links and how would they be funded?     What would be the likely timescale for delivering a new network?

What would be the most appropriate technology and  type of train required for use in the UK?

How could the existing rail links with Scotland be improved to ensure that all rail users are able to take advantage of improved high-speed connections?

The Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee is holding an inquiry into the potential benefits of high-speed rail services.

More information on the inquiry and future oral evidence sessions will be posted in due course.

Remit of inquiry

The Committee has agreed that its inquiry will focus on five key areas set out in the following remit—

• To identify the potential economic and environmental benefits to be gained through the development of a high-speed rail network linking Scotland with major English conurbations, London and Europe via High Speed 1;
• Options for ensuring that the existing rail network within Scotland can connect effectively with any high-speed network;
• The practicalities and costs of constructing a high-speed line and the different options for routes and train types;
• The potential for high-speed and improved links to achieve modal shift away from domestic aviation and long distance driving, as opposed to meeting increased overall demand; and
• To identify any barriers to the development of improved high-speed rail links.
  

The Committee is keen to hear the views of interested parties on the remit set out above to assist in its inquiry.

Written submissions received by the Committee will be added here.

Please could all views be received by Friday 17 October 2008 in order to help inform the inquiry and future oral evidence sessions with witnesses.

How to contact us

Written evidence of no more than six sides of A4 should be submitted by e-mail to ticc.committee@scottish.parliament.uk.

If you do not have access to a computer please submit your views in hard copy to the address below. Please note that any supporting documentation will not be considered by the Committee.

The information you provide will be treated as evidence to the inquiry. Before you provide your views in writing, please ensure that you have read our policy for handling information received in response to calls for evidence (pdf 15kb).

Please address submissions to—

The Clerk to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Room T.3.40
Tower 2
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Evidence received may be published by the Parliament and will be treated as a public document unless indicated. All submissions will be made available to the Committee.

Next steps

The Committee intends to take oral evidence from witnesses following October recess and hopes to publish the results of its inquiry shortly after Christmas 2008.