Build the rail tunnel between Northern Ireland and Scotland

The rail tunnel to Northern Ireland needs to be built — and built fast.

Rewards will be greater volumes of UK internal trade and a country more attractive to inward investment through building of critical strategic infrastructure.

The great ports of Larne and Belfast would become genuine transatlantic ports given their proximity to north Atlantic and great circle route — and links by rail to rest of UK — and continental Europe via Channel Tunnel.

Freight of NI and Republic of Ireland could board trains at Belfast for direct transit to rest of UK — and continental Europe.

The UK logistics sector would become more strategic complete with more jobs.

By lucky coincidence the project would necessitate the reinstatement of the much missed Dumfries-Stranraer line.

The political attractions of the project are obvious including a rise in blue collar jobs and they have votes.

John Barstow, Pulborough, West Sussex

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