The latest report of the UK high speed rail network issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) has been called into question by several groups, most notably Network Rail, who have queried the viability of any proposed plans that do not include Scotland.

Network Rail recently undertook their own studies into the DfT plan, throwing new light on common assumptions of the Y-shaped route map. The DfT proposal caused outcry in Scotland when it was revealed that DfT had chosen the option of terminating the services in Leeds and Manchester. This means that in fifteen years time, the journey to Edinburgh and Glasgow from London would only be shortened by a mere ten minutes, despite the announcement of the 250mph service which comes with a price tag of £30 billion.

Last week, a White Paper was issued outlining the London – Birmingham link which is slated for construction in 2017, with a cost of around £17.4bn. However, incorporating the new line into the high-speed network was deemed plausible only if the route ran into Scotland according to the Network Rail business case, which factored in the greater income generated from cross-border fares.

In the past week there have also been revelations that a second Network rail study contradicts the DfT plan for the Leeds-London link. The UK rail operator claimed it had held back the announcements to avoid clashes with the release of the White Paper.