Labour/Lib Dem Coalition clash on cost of rail link
The Scotsman:11 Jun 2006
EDDIE BARNES POLITICAL EDITOR
SCOTLAND'S coalition partners are engaged in a bitter dispute over claims Labour MSPs are trying to "wreck" plans for a £150m Waverley rail link.
The proposal for the Edinburgh-to-Tweedbank link goes before the Scottish Parliament this week, with Labour and the Liberals split over costs.
Several Labour MSPs claim the line does not represent good value for money, and fear its cost could rocket to £300m.
A series of amendments have been placed by Labour MSP Bristow Muldoon to try to rein in the cost and prevent one of the stations on the line being built.
The move has prompted a furious backlash from the Liberals, with sources close to LibDem leader Nicol Stephen describing Muldoon's plans as "daft nonsense".
Labour ministers are expected to nod through the plans next week, although several are known to have reservations about the scheme.
Borders MSP Jeremy Purvis led the attacks against Muldoon last night, describing his attempts to halt the line as a "wrecking amendment".