No ‘cast-iron guarantee’ over new trains date
Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne has said he cannot give a “cast-iron guarantee” that a full electric train service will start on the main Edinburghglasgow line in December.
His admission to MSPS confirms a Scotland on Sunday story, which also revealed the first electric trains would not run until October – nearly a year late. Mr Carne said delays to the project were “most regrettable” and they would increase its cost, which is currently estimated by Network Rail as £804 million. However, he declined to say what the final figure would be because “some of the costs are commercially in dispute”.
Industry sources have told The Scotsman the total could reach £850m.
It has yet to be decided whether Network Rail or any of its contractors would have to pay the extra costs.