Work gets underway on Scotland's Borders Railway project

Date: 19/4/2013

Work on Scotland's £294 million Borders Railway project got underway yesterday (April 18th), with the line scheduled to be in service from summer 2015.

The initiative will see 30 miles of new track laid, with Network Rail delivering the scheme in collaboration with Transport Scotland.

Once completed, the Borders Railway will be the longest original rail line constructed in Britain for over 100 years, running from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said that the beginning of construction work represents a "hugely exciting milestone" in the process of delivering the project.

"Our delivery of the Borders Railway is bringing communities along the route back into the rail network for the first time in over 40 years," he commented.

"I very much look forward to seeing the Borders Railway take shape from here with all the social, economic and environmental benefits that will bring for the area."

And David Simpson, Network Rail Route Managing Director, added that contractors will coordinate with the Scottish Government and local communities to maximise the potential of the initiative.

While the project was initially approved in 2006, it was delayed after the Scottish Government opted to reassess original construction plans before handing responsibility for the scheme to Network Rail.

According to the Scotsman, the existing workforce tasked with carrying out the initiative comprises 350 members of staff, and at the peak of the process this will reach 1,100.

The project's ambition is to deliver substantial economic and social development opportunities through connecting people to jobs, housing and leisure facilities as Scotland expands its rail network.

With work now underway, the initial task is to excavate certain sites along the route to accommodate track alignment, specifically at the location of the new station in Shawfair.

Once this is completed, the earthworks programme will begin as workers create the line for the route and base of the railway track over the course of summer and autumn.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News