BAM Nuttall has been announced as the main contractor to deliver Scotland’s new £294 million Borders Railway.
Network Rail had said earlier this year that it was working alongside the construction giant to design the new line, which is due to enter service in 2015.
The announcement confirms that BAM Nuttall has been awarded the £220 million design and construction contract for the project.
David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “The appointment of BAM Nuttall as our main contractor signals the start of the delivery of the new railway for the communities it will serve.
“BAM Nuttall has already been working closely with Network Rail in drawing up initial designs for the new line and can now carry that momentum into the delivery of the main construction phase as we work to complete the new line for the start of services in 2015.”
The new line will return passenger rail services to the Borders for the first time in 40 years.
The line will include 30 miles of new railway with three existing stations and seven new ones – at Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, Galashiels and Tweedbank.
Construction will begin in 2013.
Stephen Fox, chief executive of BAM Nuttall, said: “This scheme brings together the engineering strengths of the BAM Group and will create significant local employment opportunities. In addition it will provide a much needed rail link to those rural communities living in the Scottish borders region.”
