The Waverley Railway Project will 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 railway 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.

The project has now been handed to the national transport agency Transport Scotland to deliver in partnership with the rail industry. Market consultation and testing is already underway and will continue over the next few months prior to the official procurement process which is due to start by the end of 2008. Work is expected to start on site in 2011 with completion around the end of 2013. Estimated to cost in the region of £235 - 295 million, the railway will be delivered by a "non-profit distributing" vehicle.