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Government attacked on Borders rail delay |
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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."
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