Decarbonise HS2 & run it into Scotland to save the environment" - Cortes

TSSA today welcomed the High Speed Rail Group (HSRG)'s report identifying decarbonising HS2 and extending it to Scotland as the starting point to decarbonise the country's railways.

The report recommends extending HS2 to Scotland by 2032 as a “flagship measure” to shift both domestic air travel and long distance freight to rail

TSSA Leader Manuel Cortes said, “Today’s HSRG report is a very welcome one. Our union has long called for the extension of HS2 into Scotland because of the economic and environmental benefits it would bring. We need to move business and leisure travellers alike off of the roads, out of the air and onto the trains if we want to prevent the climate emergency becoming a climate catastrophe.

“As the report shows, decarbonising HS2 and running it into Scotland will benefit more than just business travellers. Almost two thirds of the emissions from longer (50miles+) trips by car are made for leisure purposes or to visit friends and family. Making rail travel quick affordable and decarbonised will reduce CO2 emissions and get us on track for reaching our net zero targets.”