Edinburgh tram backers want to divert cash from Borders rail line

Published on Friday 17 October 2008 22:49

MOST of the proposed Borders rail link should be axed and the rest replaced with a tram line, Edinburgh's tram developers have urged ministers.

The Scotsman has learned that the radical proposal has been put to John Swinney, the finance secretary, in an attempt to divert funding into extending the city's tram network to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI) and the south-east of the city.

The move appears to put Tie, the tram firm, at odds with its owners – the city council – which is one of the main backers of the Borders railway.

The proposal was made with the knowledge of councillors on Tie's board, which is dominated by Liberal Democrats – the line's staunchest supporters.

Tie's proposal is the latest setback for the line, which has suffered delays and major cost increases. Last month, the 295 million project was attacked by Professor John Kay, one of Alex Salmond's economic advisers, for its poor value for money and "unimpressive" benefits.

The Tie plan would involve truncating the Borders – or Waverley – rail line at Gorebridge, Midlothian, with trams, rather than trains, running between there and Edinburgh.

The remaining two-thirds of the proposed rail line would be replaced with a park-and-ride site at Gorebridge and possible improvements to the A7, which runs parallel to the former line south to Galashiels.

Tie said the plan would bring "substantial" savings, which could be switched to a 288 million south-east tram line between St Andrew Square and Newcraighall – where the former Borders line now terminates. Trams would run on from there to Gorebridge.

The company said the new tram line would link the city centre with "key economic and social regeneration zones".

A briefing paper sent to Mr Swinney says the business case for the Waverley scheme "is widely regarded as weak", while the new tram line would produce more economic benefits.

"The Waverley railway may not represent the best value for money approach to achieving overall objectives. Light rail could be a more viable alternative to the railway.

"Termination at Gorebridge would offer a substantial reduction in capital investment which can be redeployed."

Since the paper was sent to Mr Swinney, Tie has produced revised proposals, in which its plans for the Borders railway are described as a "plan B" or "insurance policy" in case the project is scrapped for lack of money.

Tie is overseeing the initial 512 million Edinburgh airport-Newhaven tram route, which is due to open in mid-2011.

Phil Wheeler, the city council's Lib Dem transport convener and a Tie board member, denied the proposal put the bodies at odds. He said: "The council is totally committed to the delivery of the Waverley railway project. In the longer term, the railway could provide innovative opportunities for the evolving tram network, giving the travelling public more travel choices."

A Scottish Government spokesman said it was "absolutely committed to taking forward the Borders Railway project." He went on: "We've made it clear we will make available up to 500 million for Edinburgh's Trams. Development and funding of further tram lines is a matter for the council and Tie.

A spokesman for Tie said: "This is an internal document produced for discussion. It is one of many Tie produces as it looks at a range of options to improve public transport in Edinburgh and the Lothians."