The Private Bill that will enable the construction of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) is published today, following its introduction yesterday to the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament will consider the Bill, which seeks powers to construct a new station at Edinburgh Airport with links to the national rail network. Trains will arrive and depart the airport via a tunnel under the main runway.

EARL will firmly connect Edinburgh Airport to Scotland's rail network and will provide direct services between the airport and a wide range of towns and cities throughout Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Dunblane, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling as well as to Edinburgh itself. Many other towns will also be directly served.

The scheme, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, will be operational by 2011.

The Bill is being promoted by tie limited, the organisation responsible for the delivery of the project.

Michael Howell, Chief Executive of tie limited, said: "This scheme will have a significant and positive impact on the way people move around the country, and offers an exciting opportunity to transform rail travel in Scotland. EARL will be part of a world class transport hub at Edinburgh Airport, facilitating quick and efficient rail travel to and from Edinburgh Airport from across the nation. Edinburgh Airport's transport hub will provide a fantastic arrival point for visitors and residents alike.

EARL will enable over 40% of airport users to leave their cars behind and access the airport via public transport, which will mean approximately 4.4 million passengers using EARL annually by 2026.

"We have worked hard with many organisations in preparing the EARL Bill and are delighted that, so far, it has received widespread support from the public, politicians and also organisations involved in the rail industry."

Susan Clark, Project Director for EARL, added: "The EARL Bill was the first Private Bill to be published in draft prior to its introduction to the Scottish Parliament. This has allowed us to consult with all stakeholders at an unprecedented level, allowing us to present MSPs with a well planned and comprehensive proposal that incorporates a wide range of public views. We will continue this open and transparent approach with stakeholders throughout the Parliamentary process."

"We have carefully reviewed a number of options for the rail link and believe the scheme as proposed delivers the maximum benefit to Scotland. It will make the airport readily accessible to the large majority of people in Scotland."

Transport Minister Tavish Scott said: "This is a project of major national significance, benefiting businesses and passengers across Scotland, as well as the city of Edinburgh. This new link will offer real transport choices, while improving the quality of people's journeys.

"Edinburgh Airport Rail Link is the largest rail project in Scotland and underlines our commitment to public transport investment. Scotland has a rail enhancement programme that is the envy of the rest of Britain, and I want Scotland to be the place where people come to see how rail projects are delivered."

Mary Dickson, managing director of First ScotRail, said: "I welcome this scheme. It allows a further expansion of rail services, and directly links Edinburgh Airport to the network."

A number of options were considered for the provision of a rail link to Edinburgh Airport including routes with surface access to the airport. Spur lines were also considered but these would have restricted the rail link to a route between the airport and stations in Edinburgh only.

The preferred route offers the following:

The highest number of trains able to serve the airport in each direction
The ability to serve the widest possible catchment area
The greatest benefits overall to Scottish economy
Helping to reduce road congestion
The least disruption to the existing rail network and neighbouring properties during construction

The scheme is being supported by the Scottish Executive and was launched in November 2004 by then Transport Minister Nicol Stephen. The subsequent public consultation showed that 83% of consultees were in favour of the project.

The Bill is due to be published on the Parliamentary website.

For further information please contact Gordon Robertson on 0131 555 1015.

Notes to editors

1. The documents published with the Bill are:

The Promoter's Memorandum - this document explains the policy objectives behind the project; the details of the proposed railway scheme and the background to it; the consideration undertaken by the Promoter of the alternatives to the chosen scheme; and why the chosen approach was adopted.

The Environmental Statement - this looks at the environmental impact of the scheme, and explains how any impacts will be dealt with.

Maps, Plans and Sections - a complete set of diagrams showing the location of the railway and outlining the works to be authorised in the Bill.

The Book of Reference - a list of the owners, lessees and occupiers of land and property within the Bill limits (limits of deviation, limits of land to be acquired or used and limits of safeguarding) as shown on the plans.

Estimate of Expense and Funding Statement - A statement showing the promoter's estimates of:

the cost of the project

the likely sources of funds to pay for its construction

The Promoter's Statement - This document provides details of the formal advertisements regarding the Bill, the notifications sent to property owners and occupiers, the promoter's formal resolution to promote the Bill and other formal procedural matters.

2. Maps of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link, showing the proposed scheme and how it links to the rest of the country, have been provided to your Picture desks

3. The scheme requires legislation to authorise its construction. This has to be by way of an Act to be passed by the Scottish Parliament and this process started yesterday with the introduction of a private bill to the Parliament. The legislative process is expected to be completed by late 2006 - early 2007, with construction of the rail link beginning in 2007. The rail link will be operational during 2011.

4. The creation of a heavy rail route and a new station at Edinburgh Airport is separate to the work being done by tie limited/City of Edinburgh Council to link the Airport to the proposed Edinburgh Tram Network.

For further information, please contact:
Gordon Robertson at Media House, t: 0131 555 1015 or
Jen Johnston at tie Limited, t: 0131 622 8330

Media Contact