05/08/2008

Borders rail project transferred to Scottish Government

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed the transfer of the Waverly Rail Project to Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government that will see the first trains running through the region by mid-2013. Ms Grahame, a longstanding supporter of the railway, said the construction of the railway demonstrated the commitment the Scottish Government has to regenerating the Borders economy. Ms Grahame said:

“The reintroduction of rail in the Borders will mark a very real turning point in the fortunes of a region that has been neglected for decades.

“The Borders railway will not be an end point in itself but will bring with it new jobs and new investment and help sustain the region for many decades to come.

“I am delighted that after all the years of campaigning, a fight that has been led by local people in petitions and numerous submissions that it will be an SNP Government that will oversee the construction and delivery of this line.

“We are now entering the construction phase of the project and the transfer of responsibility is now with Transport Scotland.

“I look forward to being aboard that first train through the Borders in 2013 along with the other campaigners who have struggled so hard to make this project a reality.”

SNP It’s time.....