Objectors backtrack over airport rail link disputes

Published on 07/12/2006 12:12

MORE than half of the officials objections to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link scheme have now been withdrawn.

The council's transport firm TIE, which is in charge of the project, said it was delighted the number of objections has fallen from 48 to 18.

The oral evidence hearings for the parliamentary Bill came to an end last Friday, after an official assessor had heard specific concerns from objectors.

Organisations including the Edinburgh and Lothians Badger Group, ScottishPower, O2, British Transport Police Authority, Royal Mail, and many key landowners, developers and individuals, have reached agreement with TIE.

Project director Barry Cross said: "We are delighted that the assessor hearings are complete. I am also very pleased to confirm that we have now reached agreements with more than half of the original objectors.

"This is testament to the hard work that both TIE and the objectors have invested into resolving their specific issues. The remaining objections relate to local issues. We will continue to work closely with remaining objectors and are hopeful that we will be able to reach further agreements in the following weeks and months."