Scottish railway project 'underway'

Date: 4/3/2010

Work started on a rail link to connect the Scottish Borders to Midlothian and Edinburgh on Wednesday (March 3rd).

The completion of the work is guaranteed under a parliamentary act, which states that once work has started it must be finished in its entirety from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, Transport Scotland stated.

It is hoped the project will create between 200 and 400 jobs and will boost economic growth across the region.

The project is expected to cost between £200 million and £230 million at 2013 prices.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson commented on the commencement of the project: "When finished, the railway will act as a catalyst for economic growth right across southern Scotland, supporting hundreds of jobs during its construction.

"It will also increase business development and housing opportunities across the region, whilst helping promote inward investment."

According to Transport Scotland, the scheme will reduce reliance on the car, leading to a reduction in congestion and carbon emissions.

In other rail news, the Office of the Rail Regulation has raised concerns about the way in which the train network could be maintained in the future.