Just been reading on t'internet that the SNP, probably in coalition with the Greens, will scrap the rail link project.
They think it's too expensive and would rather see a spur line run to the airport rather than have a station and dig underground tunnels.
Hmm.
The Greens oppose it because it encourages air travel and they don't want anything that does that.
Never mind the fact that it will take peole out of cars! Or that people may travel to the airport where there is lots of parking just to use the train station to travel. It would mean they'd avoid having to go into the city to do so.
I think the rail link is a great thing for Scotland. It gives a true integrated transport network and moves the country ahead along with others. The Nats want to put Scotland on the map so they should be serious and realistic about the country's transport network. I think they're just jumping on the evironmental bash aviation bandwagon. They also say they're serious about improving transport links with the outside world. Then that means you need to let the airports run themselves and stop interfering. Politicians always screw up aviation policies. It's a testament to the indusrty that it's so successful in spite of them!
Rant over.
Full Version: EARL to be scrapped
However the election hasn't even happened. Who knows who will win, and what concessions they'll have to make to get a majority.
See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgo...est/6607723.stm - a proposal for Maglev between EDI and GLA! I think the SNP are right to be sceptical of that one... But I think if they need to do a deal with the LibDems then the current plans for rail links to GLA and EDI might need to be kept...
Quite right, Wangi. EARL isn't dead yet. Even if the SNP emerge as the largest party after Thursday's vote it's no guarantee they'll either a) form a government or b) get everything their way. Most parties backed EARL in the last Parliament and there is every chance there will continue to be a majority for it in the new Parliament. The outcome is far from a foregone conclusion.
Should be an interesting week
Should be an interesting week
QUOTE(Skywatcher @ May 1 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]25754[/snapback]
They think it's too expensive and would rather see a spur line run to the airport rather than have a station and dig underground tunnels.
Politicians always screw up aviation policies.
Politicians always screw up aviation policies.
On this occasion common sense may have prevailed. IMHO.
Jeez, the thread title got me excited for a moment there.
Still, we'll probably just have to wait a few months and it will finally be cancelled. Get the FLS in ASAP.
On a possibly related note, has anyone noticed the large excavation on the airport boundary at the Gogar roundabout? It looks the right size for a new access road (or a rail link, in fairness).
Still, we'll probably just have to wait a few months and it will finally be cancelled. Get the FLS in ASAP.
On a possibly related note, has anyone noticed the large excavation on the airport boundary at the Gogar roundabout? It looks the right size for a new access road (or a rail link, in fairness).
1.5 miles of overland Gatwick Airport-style People Mover, connecting a station on the existing Fife Line (the infamous "Fife on the Halt Line") with the main terminal area? Also sparing runway 12/30 for future use.
Plus the wider picture, with the overground heavy rail spur linking the existing Fife line with the existing Dalmeny Chord, allowing Dunblane and 2 out of 4 per hour Glasgow QS trains to serve EDI International.
What do you reckon?
I'd move the station 500m up the line - almost due east of the south cargo apron - and build a cut and cover tunnel under the crosswind runway and the SE pier. Put a bus, people mover or walkway through it.
As a matter of interest, could the tram line be diverted to serve an EDI station on the Fife line?
As an aside, I used the rail station at BHX last week. This is a regualr station on the Birminham-London line, served from the airport by a monorail. The station can therefore be served by all types of existing services, and does not need new (and imaginary) trains to serve it, as EARL does.
As a matter of interest, could the tram line be diverted to serve an EDI station on the Fife line?
As an aside, I used the rail station at BHX last week. This is a regualr station on the Birminham-London line, served from the airport by a monorail. The station can therefore be served by all types of existing services, and does not need new (and imaginary) trains to serve it, as EARL does.
I just wonder, though, when there's talk of a tunnel linking the Fife line to the terminal what this would do to the total cost, and whether the full-blown EARL wouldn't end up being massively more expensive? I know BAA is keen to keep runway 12/30 very much in play.
Perhaps it is a shame your Turnhouse T2 isn't likely to happen .. a chance to start all over again and have the proper rail and road links the airport needs.
Perhaps it is a shame your Turnhouse T2 isn't likely to happen .. a chance to start all over again and have the proper rail and road links the airport needs.
I know, I got dead excited when I was told that T2 was being considered. As an aside, I wonder why a rail link wasn't put in when the terminal was originally over at that side?
To be honest, I think we'll end up with a bus link from the station. No big deal to be honest, but at least BAA will have plenty of warning to sort out the mess of buses and taxis in front of the terminal. Narrowing the access to one lane may well aid pedestrian crossing, but no one took the innate selfishness of Edinburgh taxi drivers into mind
Those fuckers are backing the place up as they wait for a space on the rank.
To be honest, I think we'll end up with a bus link from the station. No big deal to be honest, but at least BAA will have plenty of warning to sort out the mess of buses and taxis in front of the terminal. Narrowing the access to one lane may well aid pedestrian crossing, but no one took the innate selfishness of Edinburgh taxi drivers into mind
Those fuckers are backing the place up as they wait for a space on the rank.
front page news in tomorrow's Chip Wrapper.
QUOTE
SCOTTISH Nationalists are set to cancel Edinburgh's trams scheme and airport rail link if they take over as a minority government at Holyrood.
Scrapping the two key projects is designed to save £1.1 billion which the SNP wants to use for other transport improvements across Scotland.
Because the necessary legislation for both schemes has already been passed, there is no need to seek further parliamentary approval for any action - meaning ministers in a new government can simply cut off funding.
Scrapping the two key projects is designed to save £1.1 billion which the SNP wants to use for other transport improvements across Scotland.
Because the necessary legislation for both schemes has already been passed, there is no need to seek further parliamentary approval for any action - meaning ministers in a new government can simply cut off funding.
QUOTE(bill @ May 9 2007, 02:47 PM) [snapback]25846[/snapback]
front page news in tomorrow's Chip Wrapper.
One inportant fact is that the new SNP government is a minority! they've no chance of scrapping earl, as they will be out voted when they put it to parliment.
if they cost up a cheaper alternative (such as the one discussed ad nauseum in here) and but the surplus to something else in the budget that is agreeable to the other parties, it will pass in a heartbeat.
QUOTE(bill @ May 10 2007, 09:06 AM) [snapback]25853[/snapback]
if they cost up a cheaper alternative (such as the one discussed ad nauseum in here) and but the surplus to something else in the budget that is agreeable to the other parties, it will pass in a heartbeat.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=825132007
QUOTE(Mr Calm @ May 27 2007, 10:44 AM) [snapback]26032[/snapback]
Excellent news that EARL is heading for the breakers yard. The project as put forward to Parliament was far too complicated, had too many hidden costs (rolling stock, for one) and would have seriously disrupted rail travel in the east of Scotland.
The article does mention that the proposed alternative is now a link from the Edinburgh/Glasgow line, rather than the FLS. I haven't paid too much attention to this possible alternative, purely because the Fife line is nearer to the airport.
Well, nothing final's been agreed yet!
I would agree that a Fife line station would make more sense as a fair number of people use EDI from north of the bridge, and a Glasgow QS line station isn't going to make their journeys any more accessible by rail. They'd still have to wave to the bottom of the runway as they come within a gnat's whisker and then do the time-consuming Haymarket Pirouette. A Glasgow line station would be handy for West Lothian, Falkirk, Stirling and - yes - Glasgow itself - but not much good for Fife, Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The sensible solution would be to have a station on the Fife line and then build an overground spur to connect across to the Glasgow QS line, thereby allowing for a much wider range of destinations. It should be do-able and needn't cost the earth. However I remain sceptical that the SNP will deliver any rail link to EDI and wonder how long it'll take the alleged EARL alternatives to come to fruition.
If a Glasgow line halt I wonder how much further on the station will be situated from Edinburgh Park station (Ratho Station perhaps?) and what the arrangements will be to transfer pax to the terminal? Presumably a bus that'll just get stuck on the A8/Eastfield Road along with the rest of the traffic!!
I would agree that a Fife line station would make more sense as a fair number of people use EDI from north of the bridge, and a Glasgow QS line station isn't going to make their journeys any more accessible by rail. They'd still have to wave to the bottom of the runway as they come within a gnat's whisker and then do the time-consuming Haymarket Pirouette. A Glasgow line station would be handy for West Lothian, Falkirk, Stirling and - yes - Glasgow itself - but not much good for Fife, Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The sensible solution would be to have a station on the Fife line and then build an overground spur to connect across to the Glasgow QS line, thereby allowing for a much wider range of destinations. It should be do-able and needn't cost the earth. However I remain sceptical that the SNP will deliver any rail link to EDI and wonder how long it'll take the alleged EARL alternatives to come to fruition.
If a Glasgow line halt I wonder how much further on the station will be situated from Edinburgh Park station (Ratho Station perhaps?) and what the arrangements will be to transfer pax to the terminal? Presumably a bus that'll just get stuck on the A8/Eastfield Road along with the rest of the traffic!!
QUOTE(Callum Johnstone @ May 29 2007, 06:33 PM) [snapback]26061[/snapback]
Well, nothing final's been agreed yet!
true, it looks like we have about a month before the alternative proposals will be unveiled. Part of that unveiling will also be the current costings for EARLRIP, which will now include the budget for the appropriate rolling stock (no current trains are suitable for the gradients involved). This will push the figure for EARLRIP alone over £1.2bn. Heady stuff.
Thanks to the IT whizzkid who got MSN messenger working at Holyrood
I hear that the current feeling is that it's likely that the Edinburgh tram scheme will go ahead at the expense of EARLRIP, thus saving some face for all (except The Next Leader Lavish Tavish). The connection to the mainline rail system will thus be at Edinburgh Park and Haymarket.
How do guided busways sound?
QUOTE(ajamieson @ May 31 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]26083[/snapback]
How do guided busways sound?
a dead CERT.
QUOTE(bill @ May 31 2007, 09:47 AM) [snapback]26079[/snapback]
true, it looks like we have about a month before the alternative proposals will be unveiled.
now looks like next week according to the Scotsman today. My, aren't these SNP chaps efficient?
bejeesus, this thing is taking its time!
An amended motion on the Edinburgh trams and EARLRIP has just been posted. The trams will go ahead, but within the budget limit set already. any overrun will be paid for by the Council (and TiE, part of the council).
EARL is still looking a goner - we're now going to see alternatives presented in the "autumn".
An amended motion on the Edinburgh trams and EARLRIP has just been posted. The trams will go ahead, but within the budget limit set already. any overrun will be paid for by the Council (and TiE, part of the council).
EARL is still looking a goner - we're now going to see alternatives presented in the "autumn".
QUOTE
The Scotsman
14/07/07
£3.6bn blueprint unveiled to get Scottish rail system back on track
ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
Plans to electrify Scotland's busiest rail line and cut journey times by six minutes took a step forward yesterday.
Ministers yesterday unveiled a range of measures in a £3.6 billion blueprint, drawn up by Transport Scotland, to improve the nation's railways and increase capacity to meet growing demand for rail travel.
Source: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=109846200714/07/07
£3.6bn blueprint unveiled to get Scottish rail system back on track
ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
Plans to electrify Scotland's busiest rail line and cut journey times by six minutes took a step forward yesterday.
Ministers yesterday unveiled a range of measures in a £3.6 billion blueprint, drawn up by Transport Scotland, to improve the nation's railways and increase capacity to meet growing demand for rail travel.
However, this bit's got me confused:
QUOTE
The plans will include an "effective interchange" at Edinburgh Airport which would link via a runway tunnel which the SNP government has scrapped.
Am I misreading this, or is the Executive saying a tunnel is on the cards after all??
OK, I searched around and found this clarification in today's Herald:
Surely a) the money has already been budgeted for by the last parliament, and b) this now makes even a less expensive surface option exceedingly unlikely.
QUOTE
However, plans to link Edinburgh airport to the rail network, which have been the subject of political controversy since the SNP came to power, are included only in the bottom list of priorities, with ministers insisting there must be enough money in place before it can go ahead.
Surely a) the money has already been budgeted for by the last parliament, and b) this now makes even a less expensive surface option exceedingly unlikely.
QUOTE(Callum Johnstone @ Jul 14 2007, 08:48 AM) [snapback]26431[/snapback]
Source: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1098462007
However, this bit's got me confused:
Am I misreading this, or is the Executive saying a tunnel is on the cards after all??
However, this bit's got me confused:
Am I misreading this, or is the Executive saying a tunnel is on the cards after all??
Quite simple.. the blue prints include linking edinburgh airport via an underground tunnel. The SNP has since scrapped plans for the tunnel, meaning the released blue prints are now out of date...
that's certainly a candidate for most confusing sentence of the year alright.
just got this from tie
so, nothing new there then. Good old tie.
QUOTE
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL)
Suspension of the EARL Project
You may be aware that following a report by the Auditor General for Scotland on the EARL Project the Parliament resolved that the Scottish Government should undertake a review to address the matters identified in the report. These matters concerned governance issues.
The Scottish Parliament’s resolution and the Minister’s confirmation that it would be addressed have resulted in speculation concerning the future of the EARL project. As someone who is affected by, or interested in the proposals, it is right that you should be kept informed directly rather than being left to see statements as they are published.
The position is that work on the EARL Project has been suspended pending the outcome of the Scottish Government review. This will not in any way alter the position of those affected by the proposals. As Authorised Undertaker under the EARL 2007 Act tie remains committed to all the agreements and undertakings given while the Bill was proceeding through the Parliament.
What follows is a copy of the tie statement that is to be issued today:
“On 27 June 2007 the Scottish Parliament passed a motion which, among other matters; “…calls on the Scottish Government to continue to progress the EARL project by resolving the governance issues identified by the Auditor General before any binding financial commitment is made and to report back to the Parliament in September on the outcome of its discussions with the relevant parties”. On a point of order immediately following the debate and decision time in Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said “… the Government will pursue the terms of the resolution in relation to the Edinburgh airport rail link. I will return to Parliament with further work on that in the autumn … on this occasion, we believe that it is appropriate to accede to the will of Parliament. The Government will respect the terms of the motion that has just been passed."
Transport Scotland has asked tie Limited to suspend active work and expenditure on implementing the project pending the outcome of the review process. tie Limited has agreed to do so, commensurate with professionalism and good order and its obligations as the Authorised Undertaker under the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Act 2007. To this end tie Limited has prepared and formally adopted a detailed Suspension Plan. It is intended that the Suspension Plan will provide for current project development work to be stopped by the end of July 2007.
tie Limited wishes to ensure that key stakeholders and affected parties are kept appropriately informed. Should any queries arise from this update please contact tie Limited for assistance.”
Suspension of the EARL Project
You may be aware that following a report by the Auditor General for Scotland on the EARL Project the Parliament resolved that the Scottish Government should undertake a review to address the matters identified in the report. These matters concerned governance issues.
The Scottish Parliament’s resolution and the Minister’s confirmation that it would be addressed have resulted in speculation concerning the future of the EARL project. As someone who is affected by, or interested in the proposals, it is right that you should be kept informed directly rather than being left to see statements as they are published.
The position is that work on the EARL Project has been suspended pending the outcome of the Scottish Government review. This will not in any way alter the position of those affected by the proposals. As Authorised Undertaker under the EARL 2007 Act tie remains committed to all the agreements and undertakings given while the Bill was proceeding through the Parliament.
What follows is a copy of the tie statement that is to be issued today:
“On 27 June 2007 the Scottish Parliament passed a motion which, among other matters; “…calls on the Scottish Government to continue to progress the EARL project by resolving the governance issues identified by the Auditor General before any binding financial commitment is made and to report back to the Parliament in September on the outcome of its discussions with the relevant parties”. On a point of order immediately following the debate and decision time in Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said “… the Government will pursue the terms of the resolution in relation to the Edinburgh airport rail link. I will return to Parliament with further work on that in the autumn … on this occasion, we believe that it is appropriate to accede to the will of Parliament. The Government will respect the terms of the motion that has just been passed."
Transport Scotland has asked tie Limited to suspend active work and expenditure on implementing the project pending the outcome of the review process. tie Limited has agreed to do so, commensurate with professionalism and good order and its obligations as the Authorised Undertaker under the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Act 2007. To this end tie Limited has prepared and formally adopted a detailed Suspension Plan. It is intended that the Suspension Plan will provide for current project development work to be stopped by the end of July 2007.
tie Limited wishes to ensure that key stakeholders and affected parties are kept appropriately informed. Should any queries arise from this update please contact tie Limited for assistance.”
so, nothing new there then. Good old tie.
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