I don't think this has had a mention here.

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4163372.stm>

Rail link plan given green light

The bill for reopening an old railway line has doubled to nearly GBP 
60m, but work will still go ahead next month.

The cabinet earmarked GBP 30m two years ago for reviving the 13-mile 
track between Stirling, Alloa and the Longannet power station in 
Kincardine.

Ministers said they would give the green light to the project because of 
the perceived benefits to adjoining communities.

The link - due for completion in 2007 - will carry passengers, but also 
coal.

Opponents in the village of Clackmannan complained in 2003 that the 
route would be dangerous and affect their property prices.

But supporters have argued it would lead to less congestion on the Forth 
Bridge and make Alloa and the surrounding area more accessible to 
commuters and business.

The scheme has been hailed as one of the most important rail projects in 
Scotland for decades.

A new station would be built in Alloa, allowing direct hourly passenger 
services to Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street.

The price rise has been blamed on inflation, increased charges by 
Network Rail, higher compensation for landowners and the extra cost of 
stabilisation work.

But Transport Minister Tavish Scott, who claimed that lessons had been 
learned, has now said he could find the extra cash from his coffers.

'Economic lift'

'The rise in costs will not affect funding for any of our other major 
projects and will be met from our existing budget,' he said.

'We should be celebrating that construction work can now start and 
welcoming the hard work done by all those involved in the project.'

The green light was welcomed by Clackmannanshire Council head Keir 
Bloomer.

'This is a historic occasion and we are delighted that all the funding 
for the completion of the railway is now in place,' he said.

'A key objective of this council in terms of the economic regeneration 
of the area - the reopening of the rail line - will be a tremendous 
boost to the communities involved.'

-- 
Goalie of the Century
'In truth we would have made more progress in rolling back support for
terrorism if we had brought peace to Palestine rather than war to Iraq.'
Robin Cook

Goalie of the Century  wrote:

> I don't think this has had a mention here.
> 
> <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4163372.stm>
> 
> Rail link plan given green light
> 
> The bill for reopening an old railway line has doubled to nearly GBP 
> 60m, but work will still go ahead next month.


That's odd, because they were already working on the line in early July.
(Lifting the old track AFAICS).  I'm not familiar with the area though, so I
might be mistaken.

Theo