''I think we should be ambitious.''
The feasibility of a crossing stretching across the Irish sea from Northern Ireland to Scotland is set to be explored in a study according to UK minister Alister Jack.
The Secretary of State for Scotland said the UK should be ''ambitious'' in its approach to new infrastructure, claiming the country is “lagging behind” other nations.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: ''The Prime Minister I expect will announce a feasibility study into the link to Northern Ireland, I hope the Scottish Government will back it.''
''I think we should be ambitious. If we think about HS2, from London Euston to Birmingham Airport on HS2 will take only 38 minutes, there is huge improvements in transport infrastructure around the world.
''We are lagging behind in this country and we believe we should look at all options.''
''Money could be better spent on other things.''
However, some experts don't share the same enthusiasm for the project, with concerns raised about the depth of the Irish Sea and the presence of dumped munitions from WW2 on the sea floor.
The project could cost a reported £20 billion, although Mr Johnson has previously said it would “only cost about £15 billion”.
Economic experts at the Fraser of Allander Institute said a new crossing would neither boost the economy nor improve connectivity.
In a damning assessment of the proposal, it stated: ''In short, it won’t deliver the economic boost some claim, it isn’t a priority, it would go to the wrong location, it wouldn’t be consistent with climate change objectives and the money could be better spent on other things.
''Apart from that, it’s a cracking idea.''
