A Scottish Government-led team of business leaders and council officials has been set up to press the case for a high speed rail link between Scotland and England, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson announced yesterday.

A Scottish Government-led team of business leaders and council officials has been set up to press the case for a high speed rail link between Scotland and England, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson announced yesterday.

The group's work will inform High Speed Rail 2, the firm formed by the Department for Transport to explore a new high speed route, and will see a detailed business case presented for the economic benefits of extending such a line to Scotland.

The promotion of former Rail Minister, Lord Adonis, to Transport Secretary last week has provided a boost for high speed rail lobbyists as he has been a supporter of a new route, which would cut conges- tion and allow rail to compete on a new footing with aviation.

The Conservatives have also been supportive, though a new London to Scotland route would cost around £40bn.

Speaking at a conference in Edinburgh to examine the Scottish opportunity for high speed rail links, Mr Stevenson said he was determined Scotland's concerns are reflected in the debate over any new route, which could cut journey times to London to around three hours.

"High speed rail links between Scotland and England present fantastic economic and environmental opportunities for Scotland," he said.

"The formation of this stakeholder group will allow us to produce a fully developed business case to advance our argument."

The first phase of HS2 will consider services between London and the Midlands but Lord Adonis will ask that the potential for a route to Scotland is examined in the longer term.