Campaigners insist Waverley Line is viable

Chief Scottish Political Correspondent

Monday 4 March 2013

THE Campaign for Borders Rail has insisted that a re-opened Waverley Line is viable.

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ROBBIE DINWOODIE

Simon Walton, who chairs the campaign, denied the controversial £350 million project was ever predicated on new housing along the route but was about righting the long-standing social injustice that the people of Midlothian and the Borders were deprived of access to the rail network. He said: "Every single study, prior to the opening of a railway project this century has grossly underestimated the patronage, and has failed to take into account the wider social and economic benefits accrued."

The Herald reported on Saturday that consultants believed the numbers who would make return journeys between Edinburgh and Tweeddale would fall from 976,000 to 647,000 if new housing was not built along the route. Mr Walton said: "If the snapshot report by Ernst & Young for Transport Scotland had been compiled at a peak rather than a trough in the economic cycle, the findings would be different, and much more positive. Furthermore, it should be noted significant work has already started, and that contracts have been signed by the Transport Minister Keith Brown for the construction of the line."He said comparisons with the Edinburgh tram project are unjust. "While funding of the Borders Railway was subject to some experimental schemes, it is in the hands of Network Rail and its contractors, who have considerable experience in the field, and are demonstrating such up and down the route already."Mr Walton hit out at former councillor Nicholas Watson, a critic of the line, claiming it was such opposition which had led to cost increases and led to him being rejected at the ballot box. He added: "Business bodies such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Borders Chamber of Commerce have pledged their support."

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Campaigners insist Waverley Line is viable

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