Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has secured a Members Debate in the Scottish Parliament on re-opening a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh. The debate will take place on October 9th. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “I very much welcome the support which the campaign to re-open a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh has already attracted from local residents and the support which the Motion has attracted from Liberal Democrat and Green MSPs. “The response from local residents has been excellent with hundreds of people returning the local petition card, emailing and writing into my local office and joining the campaign for a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh Facebook group. “I hope the debate will allow MSPs not only to debate the issue but also all the political parties to put on public record if they support investing in Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife transport infrastructure.“Only the reinstatement of this link will truly open up routes to the north from Edinburgh. It would bring a 35-minute reduction in the journey time from Edinburgh to Perth and Inverness; provide the opportunity to reduce journey times to Aberdeen; and allow the creation of new stations at key growth areas such as Kinross and Bridge of Earn. It would also allow the creation of a key hub on the inter-city network at Perth and make proper use of this iconic station.“I hope that SNP Ministers will have the same high ambitions for the Scottish rail network. The SNP have made many pledges to improve the rail network for communities north of the central belt – most of which they have not delivered or scrapped.“Scottish Conservative are determined to deliver a modern transport infrastructure that is essential to improving people's lives, growth and business – and deliver a transport system that works for the 21st Century.”ENDS