Borders Rail Link / Under Construction

[Chris99]

Minister visit to Galashiels for Borders Railway works
21 February 2012

Transport Minister Keith Brown today visited the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels to see first hand some of the preparatory work for the project.

The line will see rail services return to Midlothian and the Borders for the first time in 40 years, as well as creating hundreds of jobs for the area.

During his visit, Mr Brown saw how work is progressing on the Scottish Borders Council Galashiels Inner Relief Road, which aims to reduce traffic congestion in the town.

As part of these works, Scottish Borders Council is constructing a retaining wall and diverting utilities as part of more than £700,000 construction investment.

Carrying out the railway works at the same time as the Galashiels Inner Relief Road will remove the need for any future multiple lane closures on the A7, minimising disturbance to road users in the town when the main railway construction works begin.

Mr Brown said:

"This project is a sign of the Scottish Government's commitment to developing rail services and so I have been delighted to come along and see how the groundwork is beginning to take shape here in Galashiels.

"The town's new Inner Relief Road will assist the construction of this hugely important scheme, bringing the very real benefits of around 300 jobs and vital investment to Galashiels and the rest of the Scottish Borders, whilst causing as little disruption as possible.

"As well as the more obvious jobs and investment benefits, this line will also cut carbon emissions and congestion on the roads.

"Studies have shown is will also reduce the number of road accidents on the A7 and A68 by approximately 10 accidents every year.

"That is why we in the Scottish Government and the other partners, including Scottish Borders Council, can once again state our commitment to this project."

Mr Brown visited the site along with Scottish Borders Council leader Councillor David Parker to see the Scottish Governments £731,000 contribution to a £1.44m package of works on the Galashiels Inner Relief Road.

Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:

"I was pleased that Transport Minister Keith Brown visited the Borders today to look at progress with the Borders railway.

“This year will herald the start of full scale construction of the line and a significant amount of work is being done already to make the line a reality.

“I am thrilled at the prospect of the line's return to the Borders as it will provide significant economic benefit to our region.

“In a relatively short space of time people will see the reality of construction of the railway and I have no doubt that the scheme will be a resounding success."

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/...-Railway-works

[bestbud]

Thanks for the update Chris, it's good to see some logical planning in action to minimise disruption. Still, strange that he chooses to visit a site undergoing preparatory work but fails to mention the most significant points. No mention of an expected start date for the main project, no mention of completion for 2014 or indeed any timescale, no update on the procurement process and no mention of expected cost. Are these significant omissions or am I just being petty? What exactly was he doing at the site if not providing information and positive news, watching them dig a hole?

[Chris99]

I suppose he has nothing new to add to the publicly stated position, ie. committed to completion by 2014, estimated cost £235 million - £295 million. As for procurement the ball is in Network Rail's court now and presumably they'll progress this over the next few months.

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Chris99

I suppose he has nothing new to add to the publicly stated position, ie. committed to completion by 2014, estimated cost £235 million - £295 million. As for procurement the ball is in Network Rail's court now and presumably they'll progress this over the next few months.

If there's nothing to report, there's little chance of this coming in on time or budget. But more to the point, why was he visiting the site then? The only reason Network Rail are involved is because Transport Scotland's procurement process failed misserably and they were left with no other option. Network Rail haven't, as far as I can see, even committed to a timescale or budget. It is a Network Rail project by default and the responsibility for that lies in Edinburgh, they can't pass the buck.

As things stand, this project is open ended because of the Scottish Government's management. They don't seem very willing (or able) to provide clarity.

[Ultima]

Originally Posted by bestbud

If there's nothing to report, there's little chance of this coming in on time or budget. But more to the point, why was he visiting the site then? The only reason Network Rail are involved is because Transport Scotland's procurement process failed misserably and they were left with no other option. Network Rail haven't, as far as I can see, even committed to a timescale or budget. It is a Network Rail project by default and the responsibility for that lies in Edinburgh, they can't pass the buck.

As things stand, this project is open ended because of the Scottish Government's management. They don't seem very willing (or able) to provide clarity.

Direct quote from the article:

"This year will herald the start of full scale construction of the line and a significant amount of work is being done already to make the line a reality."

Does this clarify what's happening with the progress of the project for you?

Or are you blaming the SNP for everything again?

[Chris99]

Originally Posted by bestbud

If there's nothing to report, there's little chance of this coming in on time or budget. But more to the point, why was he visiting the site then? The only reason Network Rail are involved is because Transport Scotland's procurement process failed misserably and they were left with no other option. Network Rail haven't, as far as I can see, even committed to a timescale or budget. It is a Network Rail project by default and the responsibility for that lies in Edinburgh, they can't pass the buck.

As things stand, this project is open ended because of the Scottish Government's management. They don't seem very willing (or able) to provide clarity.

I never did understand why they didn't give it to Network Rail from the outset. Anyway, I don't think there's any danger of the project not being delivered now. My guess is it'll come in on budget, not so sure about the timescale though.

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Ultima

Direct quote from the article:

"This year will herald the start of full scale construction of the line and a significant amount of work is being done already to make the line a reality."

Does this clarify what's happening with the progress of the project for you?

Or are you blaming the SNP for everything again?

I've read the article, hence my post.

Not exactly a quote of much substance you've mentioned there. So, no, it does not address my points. In fact it, sums up their approach so far.

I feel that the questions and concerns I have raised are extremely valid. Do you disagree? What are your opinions on NPD? Why, in your opinion did NPD fail? Can you point me to any recent, solid information on the project other than a few press releases that say very little.

If anything I have written is incorrect or invalid please feel free to point it out. If not, why the need for snidey responses?

Like I said, at the moment this is an open ended project. I'll be happy to be proven wrong though.

[Chris99]

Deal puts £300m Borders railway on track

Damien Henderson
Transport Correspondent
PLANS for a £300 million railway linking the Borders to Edinburgh have had a major boost after a deal was struck with a contractor to build the line.

TICKET TO RIDE: Old stations, tracks and viaducts will be reused in the new railway.
Civil engineers BAM Nuttall have won a deal to carry out initial design works for the 35-mile route from the capital to Tweedbank.

The company has an option to go on to construct the railway, bringing trains to the Borders for the first time since 1969.

The move by Network Rail, which took over the troubled Borders Rail project four months ago, is the first sign of real progress since two of three bidders pulled out of the Scottish Government's procurement process, causing it to collapse in September.

It is hoped the railway will re-establish passenger services to the region for the first time since the old Waverley line fell victim to the Beeching cuts in 1969, with train journeys between Edinburgh and Tweedbank of around 55 minutes. Seven new stations will be constructed between Midlothian and the Borders.

Sources said there were still significant doubts over whether a target of completing the route by December 2014 was achievable. But they said there was now greater confidence that the project was on track for delivery within the budget of £235m to £295m.

One insider said there was new confidence in the project following due diligence undertaken by Network Rail. "There's going to have to be some trade-off between how quickly you can deliver Borders and how much it is going to cost. It is possible to hit the 2014 deadline but to do that you'd have to chuck more money at it," the source said.

Ministers are said to have claimed privately they are now more confident the project will not now face major delays or budget overruns.

David Simpson, route managing director for Network Rail Scotland, said: "This contract to deliver the design phase takes us and the Scottish Government one step closer to re-establishing a railway to the Scottish Borders."

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This is an important project for the region and will help secure jobs and provide opportunities for communities along the route."

BAM, the sole bidder left in the earlier tendering exercise overseen by government agency Transport Scotland, won out in the latest bidding round against two companies, understood to be Carillion, which pulled out of the first competition in June, and Balfour Beatty.

It will now draw up designs for the railway route, including bridges, tunnels and stations. If a cost for the route is not agreed, Network Rail is expected to re-tender the project, which would almost certainly lead to significant further delays, sources said.

Construction industry sources said the firms competing in the latest bidding exercise were given greater confidence by the fact that, once complete, the route would be handed over to Network Rail to maintain and operate.

Transport Scotland had hoped the railway would be operated and maintained separately from the rest of the rail network but faced criticism that this would create uncertainty for firms who would not be able to draw upon the economies of scale of Network Rail.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/t...track.17117200

[bestbud]

Saw that this morning Chris. Certainly a step in the right direction but I wouldn't quite say there's much evidence to back up the statement that it is "on track" though.

Good to know that the wheels are finally in motion anyway.

[andrrew0256]

Is this the thread people will be posting to as construction proceeds, or is there another?

[Ultima]

Originally Posted by andrrew0256

Is this the thread people will be posting to as construction proceeds, or is there another?

This will be the thread.

[Chris99]

Removal of Eskbank Station footbridge for restoration by heritage group. There's a Border TV news clip in which Keith Brown gives a guarantee that the project will definitely happen:

http://waverleyrouteha.wordpress.com...on-footbridge/

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Chris99

Removal of Eskbank Station footbridge for restoration by heritage group. There's a Border TV news clip in which Keith Brown gives a guarantee that the project will definitely happen:

http://waverleyrouteha.wordpress.com...on-footbridge/

Definitely happen on time?
Definitely happen on budget?

Is the silence deafening or a I just cynical?

[Chris99]

Originally Posted by bestbud

Definitely happen on time?
Definitely happen on budget?

Is the silence deafening or a I just cynical?

I think Network Rail is still to confirm timescale and cost. Hopefully we wont have to wait much longer.

[Ultima]

I wonder if we're missing a trick by not expanding this all the way to Hawick. A little bit of research shows that Hawick is cut off from the rest of the country to an almost bizarre extent. Residents take a 42 mile bus journey down to Carlisle, just to get a train!?

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Chris99

I think Network Rail is still to confirm timescale and cost. Hopefully we wont have to wait much longer.

Network rail? Hmm. That may be factually correct but it's also slightly misleading.

After the initial failed NPD process we were assured by the Scottish Government that this project was still on budget and on time. Why has that rhetoric ceased in recent times? What has happened to the assurances?

I hope they aren't going to attempt to lay blame for any slippage at NR's door.

[Chris99]

Originally Posted by bestbud

Network rail? Hmm. That may be factually correct but it's also slightly misleading.

After the initial failed NPD process we were assured by the Scottish Government that this project was still on budget and on time. Why has that rhetoric ceased in recent times? What has happened to the assurances?

I hope they aren't going to attempt to lay blame for any slippage at NR's door.

I wasn't implying that Network Rail would be to blame for any slippage, merely that the Scot Govt were waiting for NR to tell them whether they could build it by 2014 within the stated budget.

[Chris99]

Originally Posted by Ultima

I wonder if we're missing a trick by not expanding this all the way to Hawick. A little bit of research shows that Hawick is cut off from the rest of the country to an almost bizarre extent. Residents take a 42 mile bus journey down to Carlisle, just to get a train!?

Hopefully one day they'll re-instate the line right down to Carlisle, I think the old trackbed has been protected with this in mind.

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Chris99

I wasn't implying that Network Rail would be to blame for any slippage, merely that the Scot Govt were waiting for NR to tell them whether they could build it by 2014 within the stated budget.

To be honest I actually didn't think you were. But, I do anticipate the Government will be economical with their reasoning if and when Network Rail don't stick to current parameters.

If the current parameters cannot be met, there will only be one organisation to blame.

[R.K.Teck]

Originally Posted by Ultima

I wonder if we're missing a trick by not expanding this all the way to Hawick.

That's where I would have made it terminate, if I wasn't allowed to run it the full length of the old Waverley route over the border!