Transport Minister announces timetable for delivery of Borders Railway

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today signalled the way forward for the Waverley Railway to the Borders with the announcement of the preliminary timetable for the delivery of the project.

The project has now been handed to the national transport agency Transport Scotland to deliver in partnership with the rail industry. Market consultation and testing is already underway and will continue over the next few months prior to the official procurement process which is due to start by the end of this year. Work is expected to start on site in 2011 with completion around the end of 2013 and is estimated to cost in the region of £235 - 295 million at point of completion.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"The transition is a significant milestone and a defining moment in the evolution of this project. We remain committed to working closely with the three local authorities and look forward to the future with confidence. He added:

"Procurement is a crucial phase of the Waverley Railway Project. Our market consultation exercise will set the parameters of the project for potential bidders and provide them with the information necessary to prepare the best tenders for this important transport scheme. It will also enable potential bidders to ask key questions before the procurement phase begins and we expect significant interest from a number of companies."

Dr Malcolm Reed, Transport Scotland Chief Executive, said:

"This is an important project for Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Borders and we will continue to work closely with all three local authorities as well as in partnership with the rail industry to deliver this new railway on time and within budget and with the right skills and experience engaged, I am confident we will deliver."

Councillor David Parker, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:

"The transition and announcement of the timetable is a major milestone for the vision to deliver a new railway line from the heart of Edinburgh to towns in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, serving a population base close to 200,000 people who currently have no direct access to a railway line. Other areas in the UK, with much smaller populations, continue to depend on their rail links. The future health of the Borders is depending, in part, on greater accessibility - both to the area, and to wider parts of Scotland."

Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council cabinet member for strategic services, said:

"This announcement represents a major step forward for the Waverley project, which will play a crucial role in creating jobs, improving access to the employment market and providing more housing in Midlothian."

Councillor Tom Buchanan, Convenor of the Economic Development Committee at the City of Edinburgh Council, said:

"If Edinburgh is to remain the powerhouse of the Scottish economy, it is essential that connectivity across the city region is improved. Furthermore, in these uncertain economic times I welcome the Waverley Line as a major infrastructure project which will itself bring employment to the region and which, once completed, will give wider access to Edinburgh’s buoyant labour market."

Jim McFarlane, Managing Director of regional operations for Scottish Enterprise, said:

"The improved connectivity provided by the Borders Railway will create economic opportunities for the Borders and Midlothian while assisting Edinburgh's continued growth and reducing the pressures of congestion. This is good news for the city region."

The Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006 received Royal Assent in July 2006. The line will serve a combined population approaching 200,000 in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian, a key mainland area in Scotland not currently served by a passenger railway. It will provide an effective public transport link to enable residents of the Scottish Borders and Midlothian to access important employment, education, health and leisure opportunities.

Furthermore, the reinstatement of the railway line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Borders will allow both areas to maximise their economic development opportunities through tourism and additional jobs. The railway will also facilitate new and affordable housing. In addition, it will tackle congestion and assist in addressing Lothian's predicted labour market shortfall of 18,500 people by 2015.

The outline timetable for the project is as follows:

Notice in Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU): end 2008
Competitive Dialogue Submission stage: 2009
Final tender stage: beginning of 2010
Preferred bidder announcement: end 2010
Start on site: early 2011
Trains and infrastructure operating: end 2013

For further information see Waverley Rail Project