9am Briefing: Scottish Government announces high-speed rail link

Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil announced an investment of up to £9 billion in the high-speed link - which would cut the Edinburgh-London journey time to less than three hours - as he set out the government’s plans for spending on major capital projects up until 2030.

The first phase of the UK Government’s proposed high speed rail plan would link London to Birmingham, with a second phase going on to Manchester and Leeds and a possible third phase extending the route to Edinburgh and Glasgow at some time in th future.

* A MAN has been found dead at Festival Square on Lothian Road.

The 42-year-old man was found near to a bin store area just after 2pm yesterday by a member of the public. The Scottish Ambulance Service and Lothian and Borders Police attended the scene.

It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

* A BEER company based in the Capital has announced plans to double the size of its workforce as it continues to expand.

Innis & Gunn is to create 13 new jobs in what will be its biggest ever recruitment drive.

The company has enjoyed a 68 per cent increase in turnover in the first three quarters of this year compared to the same period last year following a seven-figure capital investment programme and plans to recruit all but one of its new recruits at its Edinburgh headquarters on Randolph Crescent.

* THE centre of Edinburgh could end up looking like the “Blackpool illuminations” unless controls are imposed on retailers lighting up their frontages, the city’s heritage watchdog has warned.

The Cockburn Association said the council risked a tacky “free-for-all” after Jenners and Primark were allowed to install dramatic lighting effects it was reported today.

Association director Marion Williams said: “Both buildings have been lit up over the last few months and we know they’ve not had proper permission. The problem is if you allow one business to do this, everyone else will want to do so as well. You could end up with Edinburgh looking like the Blackpool illumionations.”

* A CROSS-PARTY “Keep Scotland in Britain” campaign is expected to be launched in the new year to counter the SNP’s drive for independence.

Reports today said former Chancellor and Edinburgh South-West Labour MP Alistair Darling could take a prominent role in the campaign along with former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

The move comes as a survey yesterday showed two-thirds of Scots said they would vote for independence if it left them £500 better off - but would vote against if it made them £500 worse off.