The Borders Railway extension to Hawick, Newcastleton and onto Carlisle is on the right track and I look forward to seeing the feasibility study start in the near future.
I was delighted to meet with Campaign for Borders Rail chair Marion Short and campaigner Peter Heubeck recently to discuss positive steps in our efforts to extend the Borders Railway to Hawick, Newcastleton and onto Carlisle.
I want to thank the Campaign for Borders Rail for a positive discussion and for their ongoing support to deliver a better rail service for local people.
The strategic case for the Borders Railway extension was recently agreed by the UK Department of Transport and Transport Scotland.
A £10 million full infrastructure study can begin once local partners – including the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, Scottish Border Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland Council, Cumbria County and Carlisle City – submit an updated business case.
Campaign for Borders Rail chairwoman Marion Short said: “It was very useful to meet with Rachael Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP to discuss the next steps of the Borders Railway extension.
“We have all agreed to keep campaigning to make the rail extension a reality as soon as possible.”
