The improvements are due to be carried out by 2014

The plan, which was prepared by Transport Scotland, aims to cut journey times, increase capacity and meet the rising demand for rail travel.

Included in the programme, which covers the period 2009 to 2014, are improvements to the busy Glasgow to Edinburgh line.

Much of the work will only be carried out if there is enough money available.

The Scottish High Level Output Specification (HLOS) plan, which was submitted to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), also sets out two other groups of work.

The first of these includes maintenance to the existing network, while the second includes new rail projects, such as the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, the Airdrie to Bathgate line and the reopening of the Borders railway line.

'Statement of intent'

Finance secretary John Swinney said: "This is our blueprint for cutting journey times, increasing capacity and meeting rapidly increasing passenger demand.

"Easing the commute between Scotland's cities and towns is a key objective of this new government.

"Offering more high-quality public transport alternatives to the car and better connections will make for wealthier communities, a fairer, greener Scotland and a stronger national economy."

Mr Swinney said the HLOS was a "real statement of intent" that represented a challenge to the rail industry to deliver the projects effectively and efficiently within existing public expenditure levels.

Sustainable transport group TRANSform Scotland welcomed the focus on improving journey times on inter city routes.

Director Colin Howden said: "Due to systematic under investment in the last 40 years journey times between Scotland's major cities have been allowed to become uncompetitive with the car.

"It is therefore very welcome that the Scottish Executive has chosen to focus on getting the Scottish inter city rail network up to speed."

The work aims to cut overcrowding on trains

Network Rail bosses also welcomed the publication of the plan.

Route director for Scotland David Simpson said: "Network Rail is committed to growing and improving Scotland's railways and is delivering major projects such as the �200m resignalling project at Glasgow Central, the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link and the redevelopment of Waverley Station, with the support of Transport Scotland.

"We look forward to delivering the additional improvements identified in the HLOS document."

ORR chief executive Bill Emery said: "The government in Scotland has said what it wants from the railways and how much it is prepared to pay.

"It is now for Network Rail, working with First Scotrail and other industry partners, to finalise its plans to meet the requirements of Scottish ministers and the needs of rail users - both passengers and freight."