Waverley Railway Project hails historic Parliamentary vote
Thursday, June 15 2006
Parliament approves Bill to re-instate rail line between Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders Council, the Promoter of the Waverley Railway Project, and its local authority partners Midlothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council, have hailed today's (Wednesday, 14th June 2006) 114-1 Parliamentary vote to pass the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill forward for Royal Assent as 'historic, and the single most important economic and social decision to impact on the Borders and Midlothian communities for decades'.
The Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill proposes the re-establishment of a fast, efficient and reliable rail link connecting the Scottish Borders and Midlothian to Edinburgh, and in turn linking these areas to the national rail network. The original railway line between Edinburgh and the central Borders was axed in 1969 as part of the now infamous Beeching Report.
The Waverley (Scotland) Bill is widely viewed as one of the most important sustainable public transport proposals presented to the Scottish Parliament since its inception, and addresses the fact that despite a combined population approaching 200,000 - the Scottish Borders and Midlothian represent two of only three mainland areas in Scotland not currently served by a passenger railway.
Since 2001, the Promoters of the Waverley Railway Project and its partners have outlined a robust business case arguing that the reintroduction of the railway will assist in tackling social exclusion in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian areas, by providing an effective public transport link to enable residents of those areas to access important employment, education, health and leisure opportunities.
Furthermore, the reinstatement of the 35-mile railway line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Borders, at a projected cost of £129.6 million (see 1 below), will allow both areas to maximise their economic development opportunities.
The railway will also facilitate new housing, including affordable housing, and help in combating the overheated Edinburgh residential homes market. It will also tackle congestion and assist in addressing the Lothian's predicted labour market shortfall of 18,500 people by 2015 (2).
The project has had significant public backing from the outset, with 17,200 people pledging their support for the project
via a petition to the Scottish Parliamentary Petitions Committee, in addition to 94 per cent of the people that attended the
Waverley Railway Project Road Shows' - which took place in 2002 in communities throughout the Scottish Borders and Midlothian
- being in favour of the re-introduction of train services between Edinburgh and the Borders, with 90 per cent of those stating
that they would use the service (3).
Commenting on the successful Parliamentary Vote, Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:
"Today's vote to pass the Waverley Railway Bill for Royal Assent is a historic event, and one of the most important single economic and social decisions to impact on the Borders and Midlothian communities for decades.
"It marks the culmination of many years of hard work by countless individuals and groups, who have tirelessly promoted the economic and social case for the re-instatement of the rail line after 37 years of closure. The significant and proven employment, housing, education, environmental and welfare benefits that the rail link will bring to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian areas will be enjoyed for many years to come, and will open up a range of extremely important opportunities for future generations to come.
"We now proudly look forward to securing Royal Assent and turning the Waverley Railway project into a reality."
Councillor Jim Muirhead, Transport Spokesperson for Midlothian Council, partners in the promotion of the Waverley Railway
project said:
"I am delighted that after many years of debate, that the Parliament has agreed to this much needed railway. I would like
to thank the Bill Committee and all others involved in achieving this historic piece of legislation, and I look forward to
once again getting train services running to Midlothian and the Borders as soon as possible."
A detailed Project Briefing Paper detailing comprehensive route information, social and economic statistics and reference points gathered during the course of the project's development is readily available by calling Laura McKenzie on 07740 36 4141.
1. Waverley Railway Outline Business Case, Section B.2 Scheme Costs and Benefits, Table 1
2. Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill Committee, 1st Report, 2005 (Session 1), Volume 3, General Principles: Submission by Scottish
Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, paragraph 2.8
3. Arranged by Harrison Cowley on behalf of the Waverley Railway Project, Summer 2002.
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