LOCAL contractors and suppliers are being given the chance to meet with the main contractor for the Borders Railway, BAM, at an event later this month.
A ‘meet the buyer’ day is being hosted by BAM on Wednesday, February 27, at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange from 11am to 4pm.
This event will give local contractors the opportunity to meet the people in charge of awarding contracts to suppliers in relation to delivery of the £300million Borders Railway project.
It is part of Network Rail and BAM’s commitment to supporting local communities throughout the construction and delivery of the railway, which includes using local suppliers where possible.
Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for economic development, said: “The construction of the Borders Railway is a very significant project and is a great opportunity for Borders’ companies and suppliers to meet the main contractor for the Borders Railway.
“I would encourage companies, suppliers and service providers in the Borders, including those who have enquired about opportunities in the past, to take up this opportunity to meet BAM.”
The event will involve an introductory presentation on the Borders Railway project, followed by an explanation of the process to apply to become a supplier. There will also be a short networking opportunity at the end of the day to allow attendees to meet members of the project delivery team.
Nissar Mohammed, project director at BAM, added: “There has been overwhelming demand from local firms to get involved with the Borders Railway project, so we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to local businesses. Those in attendance will be able to find out more about how to apply for a contract and be able to ask any questions they may have.
“It is important to us to try, where possible, to employ local suppliers to undertake work related to the Borders Railway project.”
Councillor Jim Bryant, Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Local companies should not underestimate the potential opportunities that the Borders Railway project can bring and they should be making every effort to get involved.
“This is therefore an ideal opportunity to get face-to-face with some of the key decision makers.”
A significant number of planning applications are currently in the pipeline for railway crossings, while significant vegetation work has taken place at Fountainhall and Falahill, where new roads will be built.
And tree removal will take place in Tweedbank this month, ahead of the summer 2015 deadline for the railway to be completed.