The oral evidence hearings for the Consideration Stage of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) Bill came to an end on Friday, 1 December. This included a week of meetings where the Assessor, appointed by the EARL Bill Parliamentary Committee, heard oral evidence from tie Limited, the Promoter of the EARL Bill, and objectors with specific concerns.

The purpose of the meetings was to enable the Assessor to consider evidence given by objectors and tie Limited on the detail of the Bill. The Assessor will report his findings to the Committee and the Committee will proceed with its Consideration Stage hearings in the new year.

Prior to the completion of the Assessor's inquiry, tie Limited was very pleased that a significant number of objectors decided to withdraw their objections, following discussions with tie Limited and the resolution of their issues.

Organisations including the Edinburgh and Lothians Badger Group, CALA, CALA/Walker, Scottish Power, O2, FSH, British Transport Police Authority, Royal Mail, BRB Grampian Country Food Group and New Ingliston Limited, and many key landowners, developers and individuals, have reached agreement with tie. Last month, Edinburgh Airport Limited underlined its support for EARL when it signed a "milestone" legal agreement with tie . Eighteen objections now remain from the 48 objections originally lodged with the Parliament.

Barry Cross, EARL Projector Director, said: "We are delighted that the Assessor Hearings are complete. I am also very pleased to confirm that we have now reached agreements with more than half of the original objectors. This is testament to the hard work that both tie and the objectors have invested into resolving their specific issues

"The remaining objections relate to local issues. We will continue to work closely with the remaining objectors and are hopeful that we will be able to reach further agreements in the following weeks and months."

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