Waverley Route (Borders Railway)
Edinburgh to Tweedbank, Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK · 2013–2015 (opened September 2015) · £294m (outturn cost); €270m (£220m) BAM contract
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project successfully re-established rail connectivity to the Scottish Borders after a 46-year absence, reversing Beeching cuts. - Delivered on time and within budget, highlighting effective project delivery strategies. - The project has been a catalyst for economic development and increased tourism in the region.
Key engineering challenges
Reinstating a railway line through challenging terrain, including areas with abandoned mine shafts. - Construction of numerous new bridges and refurbishment of existing structures along the route. - Managing environmental considerations and community engagement during the construction of a new line. - Delivering the project within budget and on schedule, demonstrating efficient project management.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Transport Scotland, Network Rail
- Lead contractor
- BAM Nuttall
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build, reinstatement
- Scale
- 56 km (35 miles) of new railway line; 42 new bridges; 95 refurbished bridges; 7 new stations.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; geotechnical; environmental; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Network Rail standards
Sources: BAM (Dec 2012, https://www.bam.com/en/press/press-releases/2012/12/bam-awarded-eu270-million-borders-railway-construction-contract); Rail Engineer (Aug 2015, https://www.railengineer.co.uk/borders-railway-complete/); Institution of Civil Engineers (undated, https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/borders-railway)