Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) is more than a rail link between Scotland's capital city and its airport. It is a major railway development which will transform rail travel in Scotland.

EARL will provide 3.2 million people (64% of the population) with direct rail access to Edinburgh Airport and with an interchange facility which will give access to other transport modes, using a high quality state of the art railway station at the terminal.

Willie Gallagher, Chairman, tie Limited, said: "We are delighted to receive Parliamentary approval for EARL. This vote underlines the importance of the project to Scotland.

"EARL has one of the highest benefit cost ratios for any Scottish rail project of this type and as such delivers fantastic benefits for Scotland. For every £1 invested, the project will deliver £2.16 in benefits, representing outstanding value for money.

"The project has the support of the Scottish business community and is backed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish public. This vote is an endorsement of their support and we hope that we can further justify it over coming months."

Royal Assent for the EARL Bill is expected to follow over the coming weeks. Preparatory work is expected to start later in 2007, with trains serving the airport at the end of 2011.

For further information, please contact:
Gordon Robertson at Media House, t: 0131 555 1505 / m: 07887 542124
or
Jen Johnston at tie Limited, t: 0131 622 8330

Media Contact