03:52 h 03:52 h
Holyrood news News categories Transport (HCL05) Government attacked on Borders rail delay | Government attacked on Borders rail delay |
|
|
| Thursday, 27 March 2008 | |
|
Liberal Democrat MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale Jeremy Purvis has criticised the Government for the anticipated three-year gap between the finalisation of the design of the Borders railway and the beginning of construction. In answers to parliamentary questions from Purvis, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said that although work on the design stage of the Borders rail project is to be completed by mid-October 2008, the construction phase will not commence until 2011. Purvis said: "The Transport Minister wormed his way out of giving full details of the timetable of works for the Borders railway and now I understand why. "The SNP is planning a gaping three year delay to the project, with the construction phase of the project not expected to start until 2011, despite the target date of the design stage being later this year. "If, as the Minister has said, banks are queuing up to lend the money to build it, why do Borderers have to wait another three years for the rail link construction to begin? "The SNP has now been formally responsible for this project for longer than the previous administration. More answers have to be given as to why there is this massive gap of three years between the end of the design and the beginning of the construction of the Borders railway.” However, a Scottish Government spokesperson said that ministers were absolutely committed to progressing work on the Borders Railway as quickly as possible and have that work will begin in the life of this Parliament, meaning starting in early 2011 "at the very latest". "Everyone will understand that with any major transport project of this scale, a thorough procurement process, including tendering, clearly needs to be undertaken before construction can begin. "The length of this will depend on the market and negotiations with bidders as we need to ensure that we achieve the best value for the public purse, whilst ensuring that a strong management structure is in place. However, as ministers have consistently made clear, they will be progressing work on Borders as soon as possible. "Meanwhile, work on the site investigation and topographical surveys is almost complete. Outline design work commenced in September 2007 and land purchase is ongoing."
Related news items: |
| Home |
| Holyrood magazine |
| Holyrood news |
| Conferences |
| Event Management |
| Employment Opportunities |
| Your holyrood.com website |
|
Have your say: We have introduced a comments system in our news and magazine article sections, submit your comments for approval. Your comments will feature in the "Your comments" section. |
