Scotland agrees to save sleeper to London

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- The Scottish government agreed Wednesday to match British funding to save the overnight rail service between London and Scotland.

The two governments will put up 50 million pounds ($78 million) each, The Guardian reported. The money will be used to replace the existing rail fleet.

The agreement comes at a time when the Scottish National Party, which holds a majority in the Scottish Parliament, is pushing for a referendum on independence. SNP leaders had recently suggested the sleeper service should be abandoned.

Danny Alexander, the British treasury minister, suggested the deal is an argument for the status quo.

"This shows that Scotland is stronger when its two governments work together within the United Kingdom," Alexander said.

The Caledonian Sleeper provides two trains each way every night except Saturday. One connects London with Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness, and the other links London with Edinburgh and Glasgow.