THE chronic need for better transport links should prompt the North-East and Scotland to form a new northern accord, the Scottish First Minister said on Tuesday night.
In a speech to the North East Economic forum in Newcastle, Alex Salmond told a gathering of about 200 business leaders, academics and politicians that not all roads, or railways lead to London.
The Scottish Government and bodies in the north of England should work together to ensure the high speed rail link between the two and Europe becomes a reality rather than a "hope left high and dry by Westminster," said Mr Salmond
He added: "The current proposals for high speed rail are promoted as being for a UK network but we know it is no such thing. Neither Edinburgh nor Newcastle, Glasgow nor Liverpool feature in the Department for Transports proposals for this link and it is clear there is no urgency from the South-East to recognise this gaping need.
"Scotland and the North-East have strong economies which could be stronger with better links to each other and a well developed, efficient and resilient rail network provides our businesses with the certainty they need to invest, and supports the strong bonds we have.
"This is why we need an urgent review of the current high speed rail plans to ensure it can be delivered faster - and beyond Birmingham."
The First Minister said that the Scottish Governments Fast Track Scotland document setting out Scotlands case for inclusion in a UK-wide high speed rail network at the end of last year drew support from business leaders from across the North-East.
He continued: "Our nation and region want and deserve better connectivity, better trading and cultural links with Scotland, and with each other. We need to develop those links further, which is why I am inviting the North East Economic Forum to work with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland on our ambitions for high speed rail: to urge high speed rail be delivered in the north as soon as possible and ensure we are linked jointly for our economic benefit."
Earlier this week the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) think-tank said that the North needed its own Alex Salmond-style figure
to take power from Westminster, and have a greater say in local economic growth. Mr Salmond urged the region to ensure that its voice was heard or it risked being isolated from markets in Europe.
"We all recognise that competitiveness of places, be it in Scotland, or in the North-East depends on investment in infrastructure, and investment in connectivity," he said.
"That is why it is critical that we do not allow our needs to be shelved in favour of a south-centric project which will leave the north of these islands cut off from the rest of Europe.
"It is vital that by working in partnership we all support the development of a high speed rail network for Britain, which is delivered faster and reaches further, so that all can share its benefits and all can contribute to its success."