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Improved train links from central belt to Aberdeen and Inverness are vital

Calls are to be made for major upgrades to Scotland's rail links to its northern cities
Calls are to be made for major upgrades to Scotland's rail links to its northern cities

A leading engineering body says improving rail links from the central belt to Aberdeen, Inverness and the north will be a vital part of reducing Scotland’s carbon footprint.

The Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland (ICE), which has 8,000 members, will make a call for major upgrades to Scotland’s rail links to its northern cities as part of a major new report due to be published on Wednesday.

The organisation said getting travellers out of their cars and on to trains would be a key factor in reducing pollution in Scotland.

Ronnie Hunter, one of the leaders of ICE Scotland, said this would only be achieved if rail travel between northern cities and the central belt was made more efficient.

Mr Hunter said: “The completion of the Borders railway, and its early success, has shown us that there can be a bright future for railways in Scotland.

“It is now time for the Scottish Government to outline a clear determination to enhance and upgrade our strategic rail network for the long term.

“Some rail routes from Edinburgh northbound are slower now than they were 100 years ago. If it took longer to get from A to B by road now than in the age of the Ford Model T we would quite correctly be outraged.

“We need to look at expansion and enhancement of the line from Aberdeen through Dundee to Edinburgh, and from Inverness through Perth and on to the central belt in particular.

“Getting motorists off the roads and on to trains will do much to reduce carbon emissions, but it can only be done if rail travel is an attractive option.”