Forth crossing and Borders Railway projects 'vital to Scots economy'

Published on Tuesday 6 July 2010 13:15

MAJOR transport projects including the £2 billion Forth crossing and the £300 million Borders Railway are vital to economic growth, says Finance Minister John Swinney.

Mr Swinney said record levels of investment in significant transport infrastructure schemes across Scotland were supporting the country's "hard-pressed" construction sector.

He said: "It's imperative that this government continues to invest in our transport infrastructure."

The Scottish Government said that competition was under way for the award of a contract worth 20m for an Intelligent Transport Scheme to the north of the new Forth crossing.

Work on the Borders Railway project has taken a step forward with the announcement that three "world-class" bidders will compete for the contract.

However, there was no mention of the tram project, which Mr Swinney has previously said will receive "not a penny more" from the government.