South Sub rail line: 'There must be concern that the cost has doubled'

WHETHER today's damaging report by an independent consultant on the feasibility of re-opening Edinburgh's south suburban rail line to passenger traffic proves to be the death knell of the project or not remains to be seen.

But it is quite clear that it is at the very least a major setback for those who have campaigned for the reintroduction of services for so long.

Of all the transport projects that have been proposed in the Capital over the last few years the South Sub has appeared to have been the least controversial and enjoys political cross-party support.

Unlike trams, the building of a new bridge over the Forth and a rail link to the Borders it has not stirred anywhere near the same level of opposition and on paper, until today, has appeared far more deliverable.

But that does not mean to say the case for it should not be subjected to the same detailed scrutiny as other projects and it would appear that in this respect –like the airport rail link – the business case appears to be seriously flawed.

There must also be considerable concern that the cost of the South Sub – similar to the Waverley Line – has almost doubled since it was last properly priced. And while private backers have already pledged more than £8 million towards the now estimated £40m costs of re-opening the South-Sub concerns have remained over whether the funding gap could be bridged and whether services would be commercially viable.

Indeed today's report indicates that it would require an annual subsidy of almost £2m a year which would make it nigh impossible to attract the public funding it requires.

The suggestion that much of the remaining cash could be raised through developer contributions has always been questioned as it seems the only way to raise such sums might be either to relax planning regulations with regard to out-of-town retail developments or greenbelt housing.

In view of the financial concerns and technical difficulties over capacity at Waverley and Haymarket stations it would be difficult for officials now to recommend to the council that they should push ahead regardless, and hard for councillors themselves to continue to support the plan as it stands.

With the Tram Line 3 indefinitely shelved, the pressure will continue for better transport links in the south of the city. But should the South Sub plan fall it could at some later stage strengthen the argument for proceeding with the tram line to Newcraighall.