30.09.11
Tender process for Borders project scrapped
Network Rail is to take over the project to build the new Borders railway in Scotland, after the tender process was cancelled. The Scottish Government attempted to get private company interest for the contract, but several consortia have dropped out of the competition for commercial reasons.
The 35-mile line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank is still on course to open in December 2014, ministers say, and will restore services to Midlothian and the Borders for the first time in 40 years. The project is estimated to generate 400 jobs.
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “Despite early enthusiasm from bidders, it is disappointing that two consortia dropped out for their own commercial reasons.
“Following the withdrawal of IMCD from the procurement in the summer, we said we would consider our options to find the right way forward to deliver the project for the best value in the shortest possible time. Today's announcement concludes that process.
“Network Rail has confirmed it is pleased to be asked to take this project forward and I am confident it is able to deliver the project within budget and with significant ongoing savings to the public purse.”
Paul Plummer, group strategy director with Network Rail, which previously delivered the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link, said: “We welcome this opportunity to work with the Scottish Government towards the delivery of another important piece of new railway infrastructure in Scotland.”
However, opposition parties have criticised the Government for failing to admit contractual problems, and compared the problems to the recent Edinburgh trams debacle.
Tory transport spokesman Jackson Carlaw said: “Yet another vital transport project has hit the buffers. Following the tram fiasco in Edinburgh, the SNP can ill-afford a further infrastructure disaster, but, by ending competition to build the Borders Railway, I fear we are on course for exactly that.”
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