15.05.18
Edinburgh to Glasgow rail upgrade cost rises by over £100m
Plans to upgrade one of Scotland’s most popular rail routes have increased in cost by more than £100m.
Reports today say that improvements to the Edinburgh to Glasgow line — a move that would make the journey just 42 minutes between the cities — are now expected to cost £858m, an almost £200m increase on the original cost estimate set in 2012.
This surge in cost comes off the back of another set of delays to the completion of the line, with the upgraded link between the two Scottish cities now set to be opened at the end of the year.
Transport regulator ORR have said they are investigating the rise in cost and labelled the news “deeply concerning.”
It said: “The ORR can confirm the latest estimated figure received from Network Rail for Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is £858m. This increase in cost, aligned with Network Rail’s delay in delivering EGIP, is deeply concerning.
“We will publish a ‘lessons learned’ summary report later this year focusing on the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow line and the underlying causes behind cost increases and programme delays.”
Originally scheduled to be completed by the end of last year, the scheme to link the two cities has faced a number of delays with both Network Rail, who are responsible for supplying the tracks, and ScotRail, who are running the trains.
Concerns have been raised about whether the eight-car service and 42-minute journey time will be available by December this year.
Top image: c. Andrew Milligan via PA Wire
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