Advanced works have already started on the Waverley line

Work has already started on the �155m link between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced plans to review all such projects across the country.

Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis claimed it was a "veiled threat" to plans to bring the Borders rail route back into use.

Mr Purvis has previously raised concerns that SNP opposition to a rail link to Edinburgh airport could also have an impact on the Waverley plan.

It is entirely proper for a new incoming government to satisfy itself swiftly that the necessary financial controls on public spending projects are in place Scottish Executive spokesperson

However, his SNP counterpart Christine Grahame said her party objected to the route being suggested to the airport rather than the principle of the link itself.

Mr Purvis said he feared the latest statement could have serious repercussions.

He said: "The major review will now delay the Borders railway, how long we haven't a clue, the consequences of which we don't know and what is now clear is a veiled threat to the project."

He has written to Mr Swinney seeking to clarify the position of the Waverley project.

"In my letter to the minister I am asking for a statement of intentions, a guarantee that the rail project continues and to support the motion I lodged this week in the parliament to begin consideration of the extension of the railway, not its delay," he said.

Government commitment

A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said it was fully supportive of the scheme.

"The government is committed to the Borders rail link," he said.

"It is entirely proper for a new incoming government to satisfy itself swiftly that the necessary financial controls on public spending projects are in place."