Full-steam ahead for Waverley Railway

The Waverley Railway Project aims to re-establish a rail link to provide a passenger transport service from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. Much of this area is not presently served by efficient transport links.

The project will deliver major economic and social development opportunities and is one of the most sustainable public transport proposals in Scotland, saving 450,000 tonnes of Co2.

It will facilitate new housing, including affordable housing, reduce congestion and address the Lothian's predicted labour shortfall of 18,500 people by 2015.

In March 2008, the Scottish Government gave the go-ahead to the Waverley Railway following a due diligence exercise carried out by Transport Scotland.

The announcement by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson set the way forward for the reinstatement of the passenger service.

The project will be completed at a cost of between £235-£295 million, with the railway being delivered by a "non-profit distributing" vehicle.