Despite doubts as to whether reopening the former Waverley route from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, just beyond Galashiels, would survive the review of transport projects initiated last year by the newly-elected Scottish government, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure ft Climate Change Stewart Stevenson assured the Scottish Parliament on March 5 that the Borders Railway Project would go ahead. However, the cost has risen dramatically. From £130m quoted by the previous administration at 2002 prices it has soared to a range between £235m and £295m, according to an estimate produced by Transport Scotland 'at 2012 prices'. Stevenson also announced that the opening date would be postponed from December 2011 to 2013, saying the former 'was never achievable'.
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