Tata Steel delivers on UK’s longest new domestic railway for more than a century

Tata Steel has begun delivery of rail which will carry thousands of passengers every day on the longest completely new rail line to be built in the UK in more than 100 years.

The Borders Railway will see 30 miles of track being laid south of Edinburgh linking outlying communities with the city.

As part of its rail supply contract with Network Rail, Tata Steel will supply more than 7,000 tonnes of rails in 108 metre lengths into the project.

The new Borders Railway will see four new stations built in Midlothian and three in the Scottish Borders. Trains will run every half hour at peak times and journey times between Tweedbank and Edinburgh will take less than one hour.

John Austin, Tata Steel’s Key Account Manager, said: “We are delighted our rail will be used on this historic new line which will help reduce the increasing problem of congestion on the main roads between the Borders and Edinburgh.”

Tata Steel will ship more than 700 tonnes of 108 metre long rails per week, manufactured and fully safety/quality checked, from its Scunthorpe site, on specially modified rail carrying wagons. The deliveries are planned to take place over the next 10 weeks.

As well as being used by commuters the £294 million line, due for completion in the Summer of 2015, is expected to boost tourism in the Borders region of Scotland.

Leigh Goble, Network Rail Business Support Manager National Supply Chain, said: “The contract Network Rail has with Tata Steel means we are able to specify exactly what type of rail we need, and when we need it, to complete this exciting project on time.

“The Borders Railway will serve thousands of commuters and visitors to the Borders area every year and Tata Steel is part of making that happen.”

For more information on the Borders Railway project http://www.bordersrailway.co.uk/

Note to editors:
Tata Steel announced on October 15 it would undertake detailed due diligence with The Klesch Group regarding the potential sale of its Long Products Europe business and associated distribution activities. The Long Products Europe business supplies steel rail, rod, plate, sections and special profile products.

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