The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link could cost about �650m

Transport Minister Tavish Scott told MSPs at Holyrood that the cost of the proposed Edinburgh Airport Rail Link would not spiral out of control.

The SNP has vowed to scrap the scheme if it wins power next May.

Mr Scott said: "This will not be another Holyrood. I despise the SNP's scaremongering to that effect."

This government will have nothing to do with the hypocrisy, u-turns and spin of the SNP Tavish Scott Transport Minister

He said that the link would cost �497m in 2004 prices, but the cost on completion of the scheme, depending on the rate of industry inflation, would be �550-650m.

Mr Scott also told parliament that the benefits of the scheme were estimated at �1.35bn over 60 years and Transport Scotland must ensure that the project is on time and on budget.

"This government will have nothing to do with the hypocrisy, U-turns and spin of the SNP," he said.

The link is aimed at alleviating future congestion on the roads surrounding the airport with passenger numbers rising to an estimated 20-26 million by 2030.

The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee last week voted that the scheme should go forward, but voiced concerns over funding and the proposed fares policy.

'Dangerously escalating costs'

SNP transport spokesperson Fergus Ewing said upgrading the rail network across Scotland should be the priority.

He said: "The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link gives every indication of becoming a Holyrood project Mark II, with the real risk of dangerously escalating costs for tunnelling and rolling stock.

"Projected costs have already risen by over 20% from �500m to �610m and in our view that is money that can be better spent on alternative projects."

Committee convener Scott Barrie of Labour said some members were "extremely concerned" that a premium fares policy may be adopted by Transport Scotland.

He added: "The committee also remains frustrated that it has not been able to confirm in any detail what funding is in place to construct the scheme."