This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Waverley rail link
14/03/2005
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today confirmed
Executive support for the Waverley rail line.
The Minister was giving evidence before the Waverley
Railway (Scotland) Bill Committee in Galashiels.
Mr Stephen said:
"I am delighted to set out our support for this
important rail project which will increase economic
opportunities and improve quality of life for communities
in Midlothian and the Borders.
"Faster journey times, greater accessibility for
passengers with disabilities, improved opportunities for
education, employment and leisure, reduced emissions from
road traffic, safer travel - these are the tangible
transport and economic benefits that the railway will
bring.
"This project is about connecting the Borders and
Midlothian, not only to Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland
but through the Edinburgh airport rail link to truly global
markets.
"This railway is a real sign that times are changing,
that the Borders and Midlothian will play their full part
in the strong, confident Scotland, that our transport
investment will help build."
Mr Stephen added:
"The Executive's funding for this project, as with every
other major transport scheme, will be dependant on a number
of conditions being met. This includes approval of the Bill
by the Committee and the Scottish parliament and conditions
in the business case being met.
"We are making sure that public money is invested wisely
and invested in schemes that will make a real difference to
Scotland's transport."
The Executive is committed to providing in principle
£115 million funding in 2002 prices towards the project
with the rest to be funded by the councils and other
interests.