§ 35. Mr. McKelveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in improving road and rail transport in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government are committed to improving the Scottish road network and, since 1979, 288 miles of the network have been constructed or improved including 26 miles of motorway and 142 miles of dual carriageway. Earlier this year my right hon. and learned Friend announced a massive £130 million package of major trunk road schemes which are planned to start during 1990–91. These form part of a significant programme of improvements designed to relieve congestion, improve journey times and safety.
Over the next three years the resources allocated for new construction and improvements to our road network are set to rise by nearly 50 per cent.
Investment is not, however, restricted to the road network. Since 1979, the Government have sanctioned record levels of investment by British Rail and Scotland has been, and will be, a major beneficiary of this investment. Completion of the east coast main line electrification will enable electric running to begin in May 1991. Together with electrification between Edinburgh and Carstairs, this will allow substantial reductions in journey times between Scotland and London. As part of its long-term strategy, British Rail is investigating a range of further electrification options in Scotland. New rolling stock is being introduced on non-electrified lines.