TRANSPORT minister Keith Brown has called for plans for a high-speed HS3 rail link to be extended north of the Border to Scotland.

He spoke out after Prime Minister David Cameron gave the green light for the plans in the north of England, following a report by HS2 boss Sir David Higgins.

Sir David said better rail links in northern England were desirable and possible after being asked to look at ways of maximising the benefits of HS2.

The government said it would now develop a strategy looking at options, costs and a delivery timetable for HS3.

A report will be produced in March.

Mr Brown said that while he supported better regional rail connectivity he felt there must be no let-up in the commitment or the work to achieve high speed connectivity to Scotland.

He said: "This must never be a case of either north of England or Scotland - it has to be both.

"I therefore look to the prime minister and indeed the chancellor to give their unequivocal public commitment and support for high speed rail connectivity to both Scotland and England's great northern cities. If that commitment is not forthcoming then their notion of re-balancing the UK economy is merely cheap talk."

Mr Cameron in welcoming Sir David Higgins' report and said improving connectivity and reducing journey times was crucial to the government's long-term economic plan for the north of England.

The development of a cross-Pennine railway line is estimated to cost £6-7 billion - the same mile-per-mile as HS2, the high-speed line planned to link London with Birmingham and key northern cities.

Mr Brown added: "Good connections between our cities and regions are of great importance. That is why through infrastructure investment and franchise procurement, we are on our way to regional connectivity second to none in the UK.

"Compare the quality of Edinburgh to Glasgow with Manchester to Leeds lines currently. We are ahead of the game."

Sir David Higgins said reducing journey times between major cities was necessary for future of the economy that applied equally to east-west links as to those between the north and London.

"Faster, more reliable, less congested services will make it easier for individual cities to pool the skills, talent and other elements they need to thrive ... Connectivity equals jobs," he said in his report Rebalancing Britain.

The HS2 project has divided opinion in Britain because of its cost and the possible impact on the countryside.

The first phase of HS2, between London and Birmingham, is due to open in 2026.