The construction of the Borders Railway project will be handled by Network Rail.

Transport Scotland has handed responsibility for the completion of the £294m project to the rail operator, which will see it build the 48km route and seven new stations by 2015 at the latest.

News of the construction and reopening of the Borders Railway was announced earlier this week by the government.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The official handover of the Borders project to Network Rail marks a milestone in our efforts to provide a fast and efficient rail link that will significantly contribute to area’s economy.

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"By funding this project via Network Rail, we are able to make savings of approximately £60m against the previous estimate for an NPD [non-profit-distributing] delivery model. This means, overall, the whole life costs of building, maintaining and operating the line over 30 years can be delivered under budget."

Minister Brown said the new line would hopefully be up and running by the end of 2014. He said the Scottish government was working closely with Network Rail to achieve this. "I have asked for a further review of the programme in nine months from now once construction is well underway and we have had an opportunity to make a further assessment of the risks," said Brown.

The new network will re-establish services for the first time in over 40 years from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. Bam Nuttall has been announced as the contractor.

(IT/GK)