News story

Boost for Scotland and UK-wide transport connectivity

Multibillion-pound plan to include funding for better links between the Cairnryan ferry terminals serving Northern Ireland and South West Scotland.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
4 October 2023
  • government to redirect vast HS2 savings into unprecedented transport investment across the country, benefiting more people, in more places, more quickly
  • Scotland to benefit from funding to enable better links between the Cairnryan ferry terminals serving Northern Ireland and South West Scotland

A total of £36 billion in savings from HS2 will be reinvested in hundreds of transport projects across the UK. 

Today (4 October 2023), we have announced the Network North plan, which will build better connectivity across the North and Midlands with faster journey times, increased capacity and more frequent, reliable services. 

And connections will also be strengthened across the UK, following recommendations made in the Union Connectivity Review.  

Scotland will benefit from funding to solve the pinch points on the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer, providing better links between the Cairnryan ferry terminals serving Northern Ireland and southwest Scotland – recognising the importance of east-west connectivity within the UK.  

Successive governments have promised it, but we are delivering long-awaited upgrades to the A1 coastal route between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Edinburgh, reducing congestion for the communities of Ashington, Felton, Alnwick and Amble. 

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to deliver the benefits of this investment package and improve connectivity across the country.

Read how HS2 funding is being redirected across the country

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Published 4 October 2023