During Scotland Office questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, a UK Government minister slammed the SNP for focusing on independence rather than on delivering on infrastructure projects like the extension to the Borders Railway.
It comes a week after an independent councillor in the Scottish Borders, who is also in charge of transport in the area, called the project ‘dead in the water’ for the same reason.
Borders MP, John Lamont, asked a question on the ‘lukewarm’ support for the Borders Railway within the new Scottish Government transport review.
Iain Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, replied ‘This is a classic example of where the Scottish Government should stop obsessing and spending their time, resources and money on yet more independence preparations and instead deliver on projects that really matter to the people of Scotland.’
John Lamont MP said:
“The Minister is absolutely right to call out the SNP for losing focus on what really matters for local people in the Borders and the rest of Scotland.
“The Scottish Government’s transport review can only be described as lukewarm at best when it comes to transport for the Borders.
“I am pressing the UK and Scottish governments to just get on with the feasibility study so that we can really see what progress can be made in linking up our communities in the Borders with cities to the north and south.
“This would be completely transformational for towns and villages like Hawick and Newcastleton. Education and job opportunities would be enhanced and more people would want to come and live here in the Borders. All whilst making strides in reaching our net zero targets.”
