Press Release

Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP debates railway priorities at SNP conference

10 October 2022

Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP debated rail issues with rail experts and delegates at the SNP conference in Aberdeen yesterday (9 October).

In a fringe event at the conference – organised jointly by RIA Scotland and the High Speed Rail Group – Jenny Gilruth spoke of the need to develop strong railway infrastructure in Scotland, providing sustainable transport for people and freight, as well as supporting highly-skilled jobs. She envisaged rail playing a leading role in supporting the Scottish Government’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2045, and spoke of the importance of electrifying Scotland’s Railway, and of ensuring that HS2 high speed rail trains could link to Scotland when the scheme is built in the years ahead.

Commenting on the event, Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP thanked RIA Scotland and the High Speed Rail Group for providing the opportunity to debate these issues and committed to continuing that engagement recognising that the rail supply chain is essential to delivering a world-class railway in Scotland.

Meirion Thomas, RIA Scotland Chair, said:
"It was great to see Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth being so constructive today in discussing priorities for Scotland’s Railway, whether the need to invest in rail infrastructure and the importance of decarbonising the network, including by ramping up electrification, or working to ensure HS2 trains can get to Scotland. We are also pleased that Ms Gilruth acknowledged the role the rail supply sector can play in supporting jobs and boosting the economy.

“I would like to thank Minister Gilruth for her positive approach, and we look forward to continue working closely with her and the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and others, to deliver a successful, vibrant railway industry in Scotland in future."

Notes to Editors
  1. Contact: Devin Scobie, 07900 397872
  2. About RIA Scotland: RIA Scotland is the voice of the Scottish rail supply community, representing RIA members across the nation. Rail in Scotland supports £3.1bn in economic growth (GVA), 56,000 jobs and £1bn in tax revenue; and for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. The railway industry is essential in delivering the Scottish Government's economic growth and decarbonisation agendas – see www.riagb.org.uk/Scotland . RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk
  3. About High Speed Rail Group: High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) is committed to supporting the successful delivery of a world-class high speed rail network in Britain. Its members have helped deliver major infrastructure projects in the UK and around the world, including creating entirely new high speed networks and improving the UK’s existing rail network. This gives it a unique insight into both the shortcomings of the current network and the transformative capacity, connectivity and carbon benefits that high speed rail brings. HSRG supports a national high speed rail network which includes the delivery of HS2, high speed rail’s integration with the existing network and investment to maximise the released capacity benefits HS2 brings on and off route. Find out more at www.rail-leaders.com