Posted on 04-04-2010 at 09:35
PQQ Writers
PQQ on the Rails
FIVE companies have confirmed their interest in competing for the contract to build the first railway line in the Borders for more than 40 years.More info on PQQ
Transport Scotland revealed it was now in the process of drawing up a shortlist of just three firms to fund, build and operate the line between Tweedbank and Edinburgh over the next 30 years.
Earlier this month, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson signalled the start of the £295 million project by cutting the first sod at Wilderhaugh in Galashiels.
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It triggered an Act of Parliament which states that once work has begun it must be completed. The line will be built using a novel "non-profit distributing" approach untried on the railways.
However, construction is not due to begin until November 2011 and the line is not due to reopen until 2014.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said: "Transport Scotland have received five pre-qualification submissions and will be undertaking the necessary due diligence before any bidder can be formally invited to tender. This will take some weeks to complete before we invite those successful parties to participate in dialogue."
The shortlisted bidders, who will be announced in May, will be invited to submit an improved plan by May next year and a winner chosen in September 2011.
In January, 58 companies from across the UK and Europe expressed informal interest in participating in the delivery of the Borders Railway by attending a market information day in Edinburgh.
The PQQ deadline was extended for all potential bidders by two weeks due to requests from a number of bidders for additional time to complete bids.
Welcoming the announcement, Bill White, chairman of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council, said: "It shows that there is a lot of interest in rebuilding the line and the fact that there has been five companies bid suggests that it will be a competitive bid and I look forward to seeing the final designs."
