John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP have welcomed the recommendations of the Borderlands Partnership prospectus on the Borders Railway. The prospectus describes extending the railway to Carlisle as the “best solution” to the area’s connectivity issue.
Improving connectivity across the Borderlands will widen opportunities for work, leisure, and access to services. Moreover, with terminals in Edinburgh and Carlisle, the proposals open up the opportunity for Borderers to travel around the UK with greater ease.
Whilst a feasibility study for the project is due to begin, the prospectus outlined that the timeframe for delivery would be between 10 and 20 years if work were to begin now. Mr Lamont and Ms Hamilton believe that it is essential to move quickly in order for communities in the Borders gain more significant benefits from the extension.
Scottish Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk, John Lamont, said:
“This is an impressive and informative piece of work by the Borderlands Partnership and I welcome its conclusion that the extension of the railway is the best option for improving connectivity in the Borders.
“These proposals have been under consideration for a long time, and it is encouraging that they are gathering support from across the region.
“Only when the railway is completed all the way to Carlisle via Hawick and Newcastleton can the Borders Railway truly live up to its name.
“This project has the potential to truly transform towns and villages along the line – opening up educational and work opportunities, as well as making our area a more desirable place to live.
Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Rachael Hamilton said:
“It is great news that the Borderlands Railway extension has the backing of the Borderlands Partnership.
“We have seen how beneficial the re-establishment of the line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank has been over the last few years. The proposed extension would serve to enhance these benefits and open up a range of new opportunities to Borderers.
“We must, however, ensure that the benefits of improving our transport infrastructure are passed on to the communities in the borders that are often forgotten about when large scale projects like this are planned.”
