Borders railway decision 'insane', says Institute of Economic Affairs [BBC News]



21/11/2013
Plans to close Folkestone Harbour branch line [ITV News]
News Index
23/11/2013
Alan Titchmarsh: our railways gladden the heart [Telegraph]


Date: 21/11/2013

The decision to build the new Borders railway has been described as 'insane' by the Institute of Economic Affairs. The think tank said the project was 'exceedingly poor value for money'. But the claims were rejected by Transport Minister Keith Brown, who insisted the line would provide a major economic boost to the Borders. The railway link between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Borders is due to be completed by 2015 and will cost £294m to construct.


External links

Borders railway decision 'insane'
Borders Railway works

BBC News

The decision to build the new Borders railway is described as "insane" by the Institute of Economic Affairs.

Related images

View south over base camp at the former Fountainhall station on 30 August 2013.
Location: Fountainhall
Company: Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
30/08/2013 Ewan Crawford
The rail bridge over the Gala Water at Torwoodlee on the northern edge of Galashiels, seen on 18 September 2013 with reconstruction work well underway. [See image 28473].
Location: Torwoodlee South Viaduct
Company: Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
18/09/2013 John Furnevel


Related news items

Tags: x Borders Railway

DateItem
20/01/2020Passenger numbers rise adds to pressure for extension of Borders Railway [Southern Reporter]
31/12/2019Scotland's railways : events of the 2010s [RailScot]
24/12/2019ScotRail pledge of extra stops on Borders Railway hits the buffers [Southern Reporter]
14/12/2019New railway timetable brings extra services [Scotsman]
08/12/2019Bus crashes onto railway lines near Galashiels station [Border Telegraph]
08/12/2019Several Monday morning Borders Railway services cancelled [Border Telegraph]
04/12/2019Extra seats promised on Borders Railway from next week [Border Telegraph]
21/11/2019Less than half of trains to Tweedbank arrive on time [Border Telegraph]
25/10/2019MSP Hamilton hits out at train cancellations [Border Telegraph]
10/10/2019Kelso council keen to see Borders Railways return to town [Scotsman]
09/10/2019Borders Railway extension to Carlisle 'moving closer' [BBC News]
27/09/2019Borders Railway delays have doubled in the past six months [Scotsman]
02/09/2019Fundraising drive launched to support plans to extend Borders Railway [Scotsman]
01/07/2019Campaigners welcome £10m boost for bid to extend Borders Railway into Cumbria via Hawick [Scotsman]
17/06/2019Electrification hope encourages Borders Railway extension ambition [BBC News]
15/05/2019Borders Railway not an easy target for cancellations, rail boss assures [Scotsman]
12/04/2019How UK-Scottish Government rivalry could help extend Borders Railway “ Alastair Dalton [Scotsman]
10/04/2019Borders tourism threatened by poor service on rail line [Scotsman]
04/04/2019MSPs told passengers fainted on overcrowded Borders Railway trains [BBC News]
01/04/2019Borders Railway extension study supported [BBC News]
26/03/2019Borders Railway performance improvements planned [Scotsman]
26/03/2019Plans to upgrade key junction to fix Borders Railway delays [Scotsman]
17/03/2019Furious ScotRail passengers slam appalling Borders Railway cancellations [Scotsman]
13/03/2019Borderlands secure £345m in support [BBC News]
11/03/2019Thrown stone damages train windscreen at Galashiels [BBC News]
11/01/2019Coffins, detonators and bomb threats: Closure of the Borders Railway recalled [Scotsman]
07/12/2018Edinburgh-Tweedbank trains cancelled amid ScotRail staff shortages [Scotsman]
30/11/2018Jellicoe Express plaque-unveiling at Hawick on 30 November []
08/09/2018More than half of Borders Railway trains arriving here late, latest figures reveal [Southern Reporter]
06/09/2018Borders Railway journeys pass four million mark [BBC News]
06/09/2018Institution of Civil Engineers celebrate the Newbattle Viaduct [Midlothian View]
05/09/2018PM says Borders Railway extension promises 'great benefits' [BBC News]
14/08/2018Borders railway - helping businesses prosper and be more connected [The Herald]
25/05/2018Half of services on Scotland's newest railway run late [Herald]
28/04/2018Bid to boost case for reinstating Levenmouth rail link [Courier]
26/04/2018Borders Railway talks 'highly productive' [BBC News]
19/04/2018Borders Railway extension option remains open [BBC News]
26/02/2018Borders Railway's success 'sustained' [BBC News]
05/02/2018Borders Railway campaigners maintain Carlisle extension goal [BBC News]
11/12/2017Expert attacks volatile Borders Railway service [Scotsman]
26/10/2017Can the demand for new railway stations in Scotland be met? [Scotsman]
21/09/2017Rail extension among key Scottish Borders Council goals [BBC]
09/09/2017Second anniversary of Borders Railway marked [BBC News]
30/05/2017Borders Railway extension campaign cranked up [BBC News]
27/05/2017Borders Railway set for unique steam experience [Scotsman]
09/05/2017Former First Minister promises to fight for a new Buchan railway line [Press and Journal
09/04/2017Borders Railway extension prospects studied [BBC News]
08/03/2017Borders Railway blamed for First Group bus sale [BBC News]
25/02/2017'Short-sighted' Borders Railway vision claims denied [BBC News]
31/01/2017Borders Railway tourist impact revealed [BBC News]
31/01/2017Work to begin on Gore Glen bing [Midlothian View]
26/01/2017Borders Railway works compensation claim heads to court [BBC News]
05/12/2016ScotRail to draft in more trains to cut overcrowding [Scotsman]
03/12/2016Borders Railway fails to meet expected first-year growth [Scotsman]
17/11/2016Levenmouth - Scotland's next railway? [RailStaff]
17/11/2016Sturgeon 'sorry' for rail disruption after Edinburgh train breakdown [BBC News]
31/10/2016Borders Railway 'serious' issues raised [BBC News]
27/09/2016Borders Railway campaign renews extension call [BBC News]
09/09/2016Minister orders improvements to fix Borders Railway's 'unacceptable' performance [Scotsman]
06/09/2016Borders Railway marks first anniversary of opening [BBC News]
06/09/2016David Spaven: Quango manages to derail Borders success story [Scotsman]
06/09/2016Delays hit Borders Railway's first birthday [BBC News]
01/09/2016'Hot weather' and faulty train radiators blamed for spate of Borders Railway breakdowns [Herald]
15/08/2016Campaigners hit out at 'shambles' on the Borders Railway [STV News]
13/08/2016Passengers hit out at Borders Railway shambles as 70 trains cancelled in ten days [Scotsman]
22/06/2016ScotRail manager taken off duty after train incident during strike [Scotsman]
19/06/2016Scots pay high price for better road and rail links [Scotsman]
18/06/2016Borders Railway boosted 'forgotten' small towns, say campaigners [BBC News]
14/06/2016Borders Railway steam train trips return [BBC News]
31/05/2016Borders Railway beats forecast passenger levels by 22% [BBC News]
18/05/2016 Flying Scotsman to visit Scotland next year after sell-out trips [Scotsman]
16/05/2016 Flying Scotsman reaches Scotland after 11th hour Network Rail U-turn [Scotsman]
16/05/2016Borders Railway extension to Carlisle a realistic prospect' [Scotsman]
14/05/2016Flying Scotsman Borders Railway and Forth Bridge trip back on [BBC News]
13/05/2016Flying Scotsman Borders trip cancelled [BBC News]
28/04/2016Passengers fuming after faults plague Borders Railway [Scotsman]
18/04/2016Borders Railway investment costs outlined [BBC News]
02/04/2016Borders Railway extension feasibility study views laid out [BBC News]
31/03/2016Borders Railway improvements demanded [Border Telegraph]
31/03/2016Community groups adopt new Midlothian stations [Midlothian Advertiser]
18/03/2016Borders Railway: Future goals for new route drawn up [BBC News]
28/01/2016Borders Railway passes 500,000 passenger mark [BBC News]
27/01/2016Call for Borders Railway extension to Carlisle renewed during Lamington work [BBC News]
25/01/2016Welsh Government preparing for takeover of domestic rail services [Rail News]
20/01/2016Borders Railway signals runaway success amid local boost to economy [Times]
17/12/2015Stow pronunciation to be fixed on Borders Railway [BBC News]
16/12/2015'Encouraging signs' on Borders Railway extension to Carlisle [BBC News]
03/12/2015Council wants steam trains to return to Borders Railway [BBC News]
02/12/2015Unacceptable train delays on new Borders Railway [Scotsman]
25/11/2015Borders Railway bridge dispute taken to tribunal [BBC News]
23/11/2015Langholm station considered in Borders Railway extension study [BBC News]
06/10/2015Borders Railway journeys top 125,000 in first month of operation [BBC News]
27/09/2015ScotRail short of trains for its busiest routes [Scotland on Sunday]
17/09/2015Borders Railway carriages to come from other lines [Scotsman]
16/09/2015ScotRail to increase capacity on overcrowded Borders line [The Times]
14/09/2015Borders Railway: Same old late trains and overcrowding [Scotsman]
11/09/2015Aerial footage of Borders Railway as Queen opens it [BBC News]
09/09/2015Railscot Images - Editorial Item
06/09/2015Borders-to-Edinburgh railway to open as longest UK line in century [BBC News]
05/09/2015Borders Railway: Golden ticket passengers get sneak preview [BBC News]
05/09/2015St Andrews railway campaign inspired by Borders triumph [BBC News]
04/09/2015Scottish Borders gearing up for railway opening [ITV News]
01/09/2015ScotRail reveals new-look trains with better seats and power sockets [STV]
29/08/2015Borders Railway complete [Rail Engineer]
25/08/2015Borders Railway campaigners claim key tourism role [BBC News]
10/08/2015Rail lobbyists in new push after Borders victory [Herald]
02/08/2015Borders rail line relaunch builds up head of steam [Scotland on Sunday]
01/08/2015Borders Railway 'ambassadors' to help passengers [BBC News]
26/07/2015Borders rail campaigner Madge Elliot takes front seat [BBC News]
24/07/2015All aboard for return of steam to Borders line [Scotsman]
19/06/2015Tickets for new Borders Railway finally go on sale [BBC News]
15/06/2015Borders Railway tickets affected by website glitch [BBC News]
12/06/2015Borders Railway is handed over to Scotrail Alliance [BBC News]
09/06/2015Proving Train runs on Borders Railway [Network Rail]
07/06/2015Borders Railway: Tatty carriages draw criticism [Scotland on Sunday]
04/06/2015Train is named after rail campaigner Madge Elliot [BBC News]
03/06/2015Talks to extend Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle [BBC News]
03/06/2015Borders rail trains to run on line next week [Evening News]
28/05/2015Borders railway: Tourist passengers 'crucial' to route's success [BBC News]
13/05/2015Full steam ahead: first test train on Borders Railway [ITV News]
07/05/2015Borders Railway could set example [Scotsman]
27/04/2015Borders Railway could yet be a success [Evening News]
25/04/2015It’s slow speed ahead for Borders rail commuters [Scotsman]
20/04/2015ScotRail publishes Edinburgh - Newcraighall Timetable
10/04/2015Last footbridge of Borders Railway installed at Newton Village [BBC News]
17/03/2015Borders to Edinburgh railway promoted by artwork [BBC News]
15/02/2015More commuters, fewer seats for squeezed ScotRail [Scotsman]
12/02/2015Borders Railway track laying complete [BBC News]
05/02/2015Final track section of Borders Railway complete [Scotsman]
05/02/2015Borders Railway reaches Galashiels [ITV]
05/01/2015Councillor calls for Borders railway halt at Heriot [BBC News]
25/11/2014Borders to Edinburgh railway: Abellio outlines route goals [BBC News]
22/11/2014Novel design to decorate Borders Railway [Border Telegraph]
17/10/2014Video Report on the Borders Railway Project [Rail Engineer]
11/10/2014Going Dutch means tourism lift for Borders railway [Southern Reporter]
18/09/2014Sleepers set scene ahead of Borders Railway installation [Border Telegraph]
26/08/2014On your bike: Borders Railway accused of missing an opportunity [Border Telegraph]
22/08/2014Steam trains will disrupt journeys on Borders line [Scotsman]
16/08/2014New row for Borders Railway [Border Telegraph]
13/08/2014VIDEO: Borders Railway structures [Midlothian Advertiser]
05/08/2014Borders Railway gets its first track [Global Rail News]
17/06/2014Bid to re-open Portobello railway station [Evening News]
14/05/2014£350m Borders Railway nearly half complete [Scotsman]
13/05/2014Borders to Edinburgh railway bridge lifted into place at Galashiels [BBC News]
29/04/2014Borders Railway cuts ‘could hold back development’ [Scotsman]
24/04/2014Borders to Edinburgh railway: Carlisle extension would be 'wonderful' [BBC News]
08/04/2014Fears over trains on new Borders railway [Herald]
17/03/2014Falahill work due to begin [Midlothian Advertiser]
10/03/2014Borders Railway’s bypass plan on track [Evening News]
26/02/2014Borders Railway: Council retains Carlisle rail goal [BBC News]
24/02/2014Borders Railway: Price and times of services revealed [BBC News]
09/02/2014Keeping up to speed with Borders rail work timetable [Southern Reporter]
04/02/2014Borders Railway: Black Path closure 'unavoidable' [BBC News]
01/02/2014Roads to be closed as Hardengreen bridge installed [BBC News]
07/01/2014Steel's regret at £300m rail bill [Herald]
20/12/2013Borders Railway a year down the line - Video [Midlothian Advertiser]
05/12/2013Borders rail: Hour-long commute sparks anger [Evening News]
31/10/2013Full Report: Borders Railway work steaming ahead [ITV News]
28/10/2013Mines blocked to stop Borders Railway collapse [Evening News]
13/10/2013Abellio has no concerns over Borders Railway [Herald]
12/10/2013Road bypass enables construction of Borders Railway bridge [Railway Gazette]
06/10/2013The Borders Railway: a £350m ticket to nowhere? [Sunday Herald]
16/09/2013Borders railway will never pay [Scotland on Sunday]
12/09/2013Borders Railway bats moved to new roosts [Southern Reporter]
07/09/2013Borders Railway work will cause Sheriffhall closure [Evening News]
04/09/2013Damage done to bridge on Borders Railway in ‘attack’ [Scotsman]
02/09/2013Iconic trains tourism boost for Borders Railway [Midlothian Advertiser]
26/08/2013Falahill folk in threat to quit over rail-road plans [Southern Reporter]
24/08/2013Plea for Hawick rail option to be left open [Southern Reporter]
21/08/2013First Minister Alex Salmond announces tourist trains for Borders Railway [Southern Reporter]
19/08/2013Ministers Urged to Extend Borders Railway [TD1 Radio]
16/08/2013Railway boost for Shawfair [Midlothian Advertiser]
14/08/2013Borders Railway pub claim arrives at court [Midlothian Advertiser]
13/08/2013Alternative railway plans proposed at Falahill [ITV News]
17/07/2013Borders railway contractors make Galashiels path pledge [BBC News]
28/06/2013Rare eels zapped to make way for Borders rail link [Scotsman]
26/06/2013New fountainhall site office central to Borders Railway [Border Telegraph]
21/06/2013‘Borders rail link must be given clear timetable’ [Scotsman]
12/06/2013Victorian viaduct will avert city road chaos [Evening News]
14/05/2013Borders rail link: £150m plan for Penicuik spur [Evening News]
13/05/2013Joining the Borders railway dots after 40 years [BBC News]
18/04/2013Borders to Edinburgh rail line: Workers begin digging route [BBC News]
07/03/2013Borders Railway start date delayed by three months [Scotsman]
05/03/2013Borders rail link could cut 530,000 road trips [Scotsman]
23/02/2013Borders Railway ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunity for local contractors [Borders Railway]
12/02/2013Borders Rail: Works starts on historic link [Scotsman]
09/02/2013Edinburgh city bypass: Rail tunnel plan unveiled [Scotsman]
07/02/2013Borders railway: Thousands apply for train driver jobs [BBC News]
13/12/2012Borders to Edinburgh rail route main contractor agreed [BBC]
06/11/2012Borders railway completion date put back as cost of project soars [Scotsman]
31/10/2012Borders to Edinburgh railway announcement due 'shortly' [BBC News]
31/10/2012Luxury trains to run on re-opened Borders Railway [Scotsman]
28/10/2012Borders Railway costs up another £50m [Scotsman]
27/10/2012The Borders Railway: ‘This is a line that was built to last’ [Scotland on Sunday]
15/10/2012Borders railway 'could be next capital tram debacle' [Herald]
13/08/2012Waverley Route - the life, death and rebirth of the Borders Railway [Railscot]
22/05/2012Borders railway: Galashiels flats cleared from route [BBC News]
20/04/2012SNP: Transport is key issue in Borders [Scotsman]
14/04/2012The Borders Railway - Update by Network Rail [CILT]
26/03/2012Deal puts £300m Borders railway on track [Herald]
09/03/2012Bigger station plea for Borders Railway [Scotsman]
21/02/2012Borders Railway likely to be delayed until 2015 [Scotsman]
20/02/2012Transport minister visits the Borders Railway site [STV]
17/12/2011Inquiry beckons as Watson and power giant object to rail land acquisition bid [Southern Reporter]
12/12/2011Railway will give long term boost to Borders [Border Telegraph]
29/10/2011£2m spent in failed attempt to secure Borders rail bidder [Herald]
05/10/2011MSP’s fears over cost of ‘Galashiels railway’ [Hawick Today]
02/10/2011Way clear for Borders Railway [Scottish Government]
29/09/2011Borders rail link tender process scrapped [BBC News]
22/09/2011Alex Salmond makes Borders rail time and budget pledge [BBC News]
20/09/2011Opposition demands assurances as Borders Railway runs late [Herald]
19/09/2011New threat of soaring costs over flagship train link [Scotsman]
17/06/2011Borders Rail Link in doubt as bidder No 2 walks away [Scotsman]
16/06/2011Borders rail plan rocked as top firm pulls out [Scotsman]
13/05/2011Borders railway line on course [Scotsman]
01/02/2011Tree felling project signals start of work on Borders Railway [Border Telegraph]
30/01/2011Fresh trouble for delayed Borders rail link [Herald]
10/01/2011ORR consults on regulation of Borders Railway
09/11/2010Doubts over Borders rail line as firm quits [Scotsman]
21/06/2010Bidders for £295m Borders rail link selected [BBC News]
18/03/2010Competition hots up for Borders Railway contract [Scotsman]
03/03/2010Borders railway project gets underway [BBC News]
18/02/2010On track? [BBC News Item]
22/12/2009Borders Railway open for bids [Modern Railways]
10/12/2009Borders rail link bidders sought [BBC News Article]
02/11/2009Step towards £295m rail contract [BBC News Article]
14/10/2009Rail route 'value' query for MSPs [BBC News Article]
18/09/2009Still on track [BBC News Article]
31/03/2009Rail reopening remains 'on track' [BBC News Article]
21/10/2008Edinburgh tram backers want cash from Borders rail line [Scotsman]
06/08/2008Timetable set for Borders railway [BBC News Article]
18/05/2008New doubts over Borders rail link [Scotsman]
26/03/2008Borders rail timetable concerns [BBC News Article]
13/03/2008MSPs to debate Borders rail funds [BBC News Article]
05/03/2008Green light for Borders rail line [Scottish Government]
04/03/2008Review of Borders rail link plan to delay finish till 2012 [Scotsman]
23/07/2007Road testing the Waverley line [BBC News]
20/06/2007SNP under fire for ruling out rail extension
04/06/2007Lib Dem MSP's fury at Border rail link delay [Scotsman]
28/03/2007Milestone for Borders rail project [Scottish Executive]
31/01/2007Work set to start on £174m Borders rail route [Scotsman]
25/07/2006Borders rail plan gets green flag [Scotsman]
25/07/2006Green light for Borders rail link [Scottish Executive]
24/07/2006Green light for Borders rail link [BBC News]
15/06/2006MSPs vote 114-1 to give final go-ahead to Borders rail link [Scotsman]
15/06/2006Fears Borders rail link will hit buffers despite MSPs' backing [Scotsman]
13/06/2006Clear track for Borders rail link [BBC News]
10/06/2006Fears for Borders rail link as MSP accused of sabotage [Scotsman]
09/06/2006Waverley rail progress concerns [BBC News]
09/05/2006MSPs' backing for Borders railway link [Scotsman]
09/05/2006MSPs support scheme to reopen Borders rail link [Scotsman]
03/05/2006New party in bid to derail Waverley line [Scotsman]
16/01/2006Cycle-path concern over rail link [BBC]
01/08/2005Borders rail link backed [Scotsman]
23/07/2005£150m Borders rail link is given clear signal to proceed by MSPs [Scotsman]
22/07/2005Green light for Borders rail link [BBC News]
22/07/2005Borders Rail Bill [Scottish Executive]
22/07/2005Borders rail link on track as MSPs back calls for service [Scotsman]
23/06/2005Borders rail journey 'could take under an hour' [Scotsman]
15/03/2005Cash case 'weak' for Borders line [Scotsman]
14/03/2005Borders rail link funding may hit political buffers [Scotsman]
11/03/2005Executive set to commit £130m for Waverley line [Scotsman]
10/03/2005Borders rail line 'wins backing' [BBC News]
20/01/2005Borders rail link will help commuters lift low wages [Scotsman]
06/01/2005Borders rail link campaign rally [BBC News]
02/11/2004SRA chief hits out at Borders line [Scotsman]
17/09/2004Mix-up set to delay £130m rail project [Scotsman]
31/08/2004£258m hope if former rail link reopens [Scotsman]
30/08/2004Borders rail link in line to create £250m [Scotsman]
22/06/2004Big business says Borders rail will boost labour pool [Scotsman]
22/06/2004Businesses join forces to fight for rail link [Scotsman]
21/05/2004Borders rail plan short on wildlife strategy [Scotsman]
27/04/2004Business plan holds up Waverley rail line bill [Scotsman]
26/03/2004'No obvious case' for Borders rail link to city says head of SRA [Scotsman]
06/03/2000Funding for Edinburgh CrossRail

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