Borders rail line set for 12 month delay

CONSTRUCTION work on the Borders Railway, Britain’s longest new rail route, is set to be delayed by nearly a year, sparking fears of run-over costs, it emerged today.

The Edinburgh to Tweedbank project will not get under way until next summer, with some industry experts warning it would be “impossible” to open as planned in 2014.

It is understood that the delay has arisen because the remaining sole bidder on the project, the Dutch firm BAM, is seeking more than the expected £230 million to cover the risks associated with the project. Costs could rise above the £295m maximum.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewis Macdonald, Labour’s shadow secretary for infrastructure, said: “Travellers in the Borders, who now face another delay of 12 months”,

A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said it was committed to finding the best way to deliver the project on time.