The Edinburgh Waverley to Borders Railway took another step forward with Network Rail awarding a £2 million contract to BAM Nuttall to further develop designs for the route, including bridges, tunnels and stations.
Network Rail will also proceed with ground stabilisation works in the Midlothian section of the route where remediation of former mine works is required.
Network Rail took on the £295m project last year when the tendering process was scrapped after two of the three bidders pulled out.
David Simpson, route managing director, Network Rail Scotland, commented: “Network Rail is pleased to be involved with the Borders Railway and this contract to deliver the design phase takes us and the Scottish Government one step closer to re-establishing a railway to the Scottish Borders.”
The Edinburgh to Borders railway, due to be completed by December 2014, will reconnect the heart of the Scottish Borders to the railway network for the first time in over 40 years.
The route will have 10 stops in total, with seven new stations - four in Midlothian and three in the Scottish Borders - added along a 35 mile route (65 km).
There will be a half hourly service at peak times, with trains taking passengers from Tweedbank in the Borders to the centre of Edinburgh in 55 minutes or less.
Edinburgh to Tweedbank Stations
- Edinburgh Waverley
- Brunstane
- Newcraighall
- Shawfair *
- Eskbank *
- Newtongrange *
- Gorebridge *
- Stow *
- Galashiels *
- Tweedbank *
* New railway station