Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has called on the SNP Scottish Government to look again at a feasibility study into re-opening line between Perth and Edinburgh. The MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife questioned SNP Transport Minister, Keith Brown during Infrastructure, Investment and Cities questions in the Scottish Parliament. Transform Scotland the national alliance for sustainable transport has back calls for the re-opening of the line between Perth and Edinburgh. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “To date the SNP Scottish Government have shown no ambition to improve the railways north of the central belt despite Transform Scotland calling for the re-opening of the line between Perth and Edinburgh. The existing journey time from Edinburgh to Aberdeen is almost an hour longer than the equivalent distance from Edinburgh to Newcastle. Journey times from the central belt to Perth, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen remain uncompetitive with the roads. “The rail journey between Edinburgh and Perth will remain slow and tortuous without significant investment in the network infrastructure. To achieve this, we need to see reinstatement of the direct fast route between Edinburgh and Perth“The reopening a direct rail link between Edinburgh and Perth could bring many benefits not only to the local economy in Perthshire and Fife but also in delivering an improved high speed rail network north of the central belt.“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 am pleased that officials have entered into discussions with Transform Scotland. People across Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife want to see this issue taken forward and I will continue to make the case.”