THE SNP last night demanded Britain's first high-speed rail link north of London should come to Scotland, after UK government sources suggested they were ready to press ahead with phase one.

Ministers are "very seriously" considering approval for the controversial HS2 line from London to Birmingham after a Network Rail report said alternative proposals were far inferior.

The government is expected to make its final decision on whether to green-light the 100-mile HS2 connection at a cost of £17 billion next week. Further extensions to Manchester and Leeds could follow by 2033 at a final cost of £32bn.

The Scottish Government estimates it could cost a further £15bn to bring the line from Manchester to Scotland, with Holyrood contributing about £9bn.

Marco Biagi, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central, said: "The UK Government should make clear that they will bring the line beyond Birmingham and north to Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has made its commitment to a high-speed line clear in our infrastructure plans.

"A high-speed line connecting London to Scotland would offer a real alternative to short domestic flights, helping to cut carbon, reduce business costs and bring rail transport across the UK into the 21st century."