The project was also designed to deliver electrification of 94 miles of track including diversionary routes through Cumbernauld and Falkirk.
The redevelopment of Buchanan Galleries allowed this option to be developed instead with a major rebuild and the lengthening of platforms at Queen St high level station.
[14] Sustainable transport campaign group Transform Scotland described the cuts as 'a major step backwards' and suggested that the government's concurrent decision to bring forward a £3 billion project to dual the A9 road demonstrated a 'perverse set of priorities'.
[15][16] The fastest journey times between Glasgow and Edinburgh under the scheme will now be 42 minutes compared to the just over half an hour previously promised.
[17] One of the most disruptive elements of the project was the complete closure of Glasgow Queen Street High Level for a 20-week period between March and August 2016.