New proposals for Edinburgh rail link

The Scottish government has made improved proposals for a rail link at Edinburgh Airport after previous plans were deemed unworkable.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said that better public transport options would be provided to the hub, at a lower cost than the previous Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (Earl) proposals.

Among the recommendations was a new airport station at Gogar on the Fife railway line, which would "complement rather than compete with" the tram line.

Mr Stevenson also outlined plans for a rail link between Fife and Edinburgh/Glasgow routes, which would allow trains from the two major cities to stop at the new airport station.

"The proposals approved by parliament today will provide good public transport access to Edinburgh Airport…It will also be delivered for a fraction of the cost of the Earl project and without high risk," the transport minister said.

"Earl was estimated to cost more than £600 million. The proposals approved by parliament today will be delivered for around £200 million - less than a third of the cost."