Edinburgh-Borders rail link costs could double to £295m

james73 · Edinburgh-Borders rail link costs could double to £295m

Edinburgh-Borders rail link costs could double to £295m

The cost of a rail line linking Edinburgh with the Borders could be more than
twice the original estimate.

MSPs have been warned the proposed Waverely line could now cost £295 million
and the completion date has fallen back from 2011 to 2013.

The disclosure came in a statement by transport minister Stewart Stevenson
to Parliament where he insisted the SNP administration was not to blame.

"Not a single day's delay has derived from any action of this goverment," said
Mr Stevenson, who accused the previous administration of "dither and delay".

But he came under fire from Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat MSPs.

Labour's Des McNulty said: "Ministers have taken nine months to reinstate this
project.

"Costs are up - and the Borders are still waiting."

Announcing the latest timescale and costs, Mr Stevenson said the budget had
to take account of an additional station at Stow requested by Parliament and
rising land values in the Borders.

"We will deliver a railway that strengthens some of Scotland's poorest communities,
spreads wealth to the regions, and provides a real, sustainable, integrated, and
cost-effective public transport alternative to the car," said the minister.

He went on to tell MSPs: "The previously stated completion date of December
2011 was never achievable given the decisions taken by the previous administation
and the requirement to ensure the project met key tests set by that administration."

Construction work on the rail link was originally expected to start in 2009 and
the route was to have become operational in 2011.

But that was based on an "over-optimistic" assessment, and Transport Scotland
now expects work to start by 2010 and the line to be operational by the end
of 2013.

Latest cost estimates are between £235 million and £295 million at 2012 prices,
compared to original estimates of £129 million at 2002 prices.

James H

james73

Aren't Scottish Labour MP's a bunch of smug fcukers? These are the people who,
for decades, have taken the Scottish publics votes for granted. Now, one of them
has the gall to criticise the current lot in power over "delays" and "rising costs."

The M74 extension was first mooted under Labour with the cost put at £125m. Now,
?? years late, it will cost the taxpayer £500m at least.

James H

ex-tobester

Having worked in the borders i had to use the A7 to get there from here, the link is long needed as whenever theres an accident on the A7 or A68 the place is isolated (especially if the snow gates shut in the winter.