DaveNewcastle
Established Member
We've been talking about it for years - and I'm sure it'll mainly just be talk for another few years, but . . . .
there is some more progress in re-opening the 30+ miles of the old Waverley line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank (near Galashiels).
“Today the Scottish government sets out the actions being taken to position Scotland’s economy for recovery. It is therefore fitting that work now starts on a project which will provide a fast, efficient rail link connecting communities from the Scottish Borders to Midlothian and Edinburgh. When finished, the railway will act as a catalyst for economic growth right across southern Scotland, supporting hundreds of jobs during its construction. It will also increase business development and housing opportunities, while helping promote inward investment.” Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson, 4th March 2010.
I understand that the bidding deadline for interested Infrastructure Contractors is this month, and, despite the strain on public expenditure, the Scottish Executive has still committed the funds to this construction.
It amuses me that there were massive objections from Borders residents when the line was condemmed to closure in the late 1960's and now, there's been an equally vociferous lobby of objecting residents to the re-building. (NIMBY's go for it either way!)
What does NOT amuse me is that the proposals are for only a single track line, with just a few station loops. Its hardly likely to fulfill its real potential - which could eventually include extensions south through other Borders towns to either the ECML or WCML for long distance freight or passenger use. That could have provided a working alternative to the long 120mile Newcastle-Edinburgh route, or the corresponding Carlisle-Carstairs-Edinburgh route.
there is some more progress in re-opening the 30+ miles of the old Waverley line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank (near Galashiels).
“Today the Scottish government sets out the actions being taken to position Scotland’s economy for recovery. It is therefore fitting that work now starts on a project which will provide a fast, efficient rail link connecting communities from the Scottish Borders to Midlothian and Edinburgh. When finished, the railway will act as a catalyst for economic growth right across southern Scotland, supporting hundreds of jobs during its construction. It will also increase business development and housing opportunities, while helping promote inward investment.” Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson, 4th March 2010.
I understand that the bidding deadline for interested Infrastructure Contractors is this month, and, despite the strain on public expenditure, the Scottish Executive has still committed the funds to this construction.
It amuses me that there were massive objections from Borders residents when the line was condemmed to closure in the late 1960's and now, there's been an equally vociferous lobby of objecting residents to the re-building. (NIMBY's go for it either way!)
What does NOT amuse me is that the proposals are for only a single track line, with just a few station loops. Its hardly likely to fulfill its real potential - which could eventually include extensions south through other Borders towns to either the ECML or WCML for long distance freight or passenger use. That could have provided a working alternative to the long 120mile Newcastle-Edinburgh route, or the corresponding Carlisle-Carstairs-Edinburgh route.
