Interesting article questioning whether the re-opening of the Waverley Line is supported by the local population (link below.)
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Rail-link-will-do-more.3757978.jp

The new rail line between Edinburgh and the Borders could cost more than twice the original estimate (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7277768.stm
 
The project's completion date has also slipped from 2011 to 2013, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson confirmed.

A non-profit making company will be set up to pay for the bulk of the costs - a move criticised by Labour.

Mr Stevenson said the original date put forward was "never achievable", given the decisions taken on the project by the previous Holyrood government.

The capital costs of the railway, between £235m-£295m, are to be funded by a "non-profit distributing vehicle" (NPD), meaning the cash will be borrowed from the financial markets.

It is to be repaid by annual charges met from the budgets of the national agency Transport Scotland, and with contributions from councils.

Despite opposition party concerns, Mr Stevenson insisted it was a cost-effective borrowing method which avoided high interest rates associated with private finance initiatives and would keep the project in public ownership.

The original estimate for the rail link stood at £129m, at 2002 prices, and its final cost will be negotiated during the procurement process.

Quote from the link below :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7284085.stm

The Scottish Government has been accused of investing "not one penny" in a rail link between Edinburgh and the Borders since it came to power (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7293290.stm

Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis also called for plans to fund the bulk of scheme by a non-profit company to be scrapped.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson defended the government's approach to the project and choice of funding.

He said it would allow the "expertise and innovation" of the private sector to help deliver the scheme.

Mr Stevenson confirmed plans to use a non-profit method to fund the line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank near Galashiels.

He said it meant any "excessive profits" could be reinvested for the good of the community.

Labour's Des McNulty said the funding method was "experimental" and "untested".

He said the minister had given "no assurances" that funding could be in place for work to start within the lifetime of this parliament.

Tory Alex Johnstone said it was "disappointing but not at all surprising" that the project had suffered delays.

He also voiced concerns about the rail line covering only a "small area" of the Borders.

Historic Scotland inspectors are to visit a town where a railway station is proposed on the reopened Waverley line (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7346190.stm

It wants to identify the important structures and review existing listed buildings in and around Stow in the Scottish Borders.

Historic Scotland said there was "development pressure" in the area due to plans for the railway line.

It added that it would welcome information from the public about buildings of interest in the village.

Stow will be the site of a railway station under plans to reopen the railway line between Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.

Historic Scotland is keen to ensure this does not have any impact on important buildings in the area.