New group agrees 'essential' next step for campaign to extend Borders Railway
Last updated 31st Aug 2023
A senior project manager is to be recruited to drive forward plans for a study into the feasibility of extending the Borders Railway.
It follows a meeting involving politicians, officials and campaigners to discuss progress with the project, which it's hoped could restore the line between Tweedbank and Carlisle.
Although no timeline has been given for the appointment, Greatest Hits Radio has been told adverts for the vacancy will be going out "soon".
Both the UK and Scottish Governments pledged £5 million each towards a study four years ago, as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
But there had been frustration over the delay before it was announced earlier this year that the strategic case for the extension has now been agreed by the UK Department of Transport and Transport Scotland.
The Borders Railway Reference Group - the name given to the coalition of partners, which met virtually for the first time last week - has described the meeting as "an important stage in the project" and "essential to the next step", which is to appoint a senior project manager to finalise the detailed plan and drive the feasibility study.
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Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said: “I am delighted we have agreed the next steps to making the case for extending the Borderlands Railway from Scotland into England.
“The reopening of the line as far as Tweedbank has had a transformative impact on economic growth within the Borders and we must continue to push for the extension to Hawick and on to Carlisle.
“Working as a partnership is our best chance at connecting communities further down the line to share the benefits and opportunities the railway could bring.”
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The Reference Group is chaired by Scottish Borders Council and includes representatives from the Campaign for Borders Rail, Transport Scotland, Scottish Government, Department for Transport, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Cumberland Council and the Borderlands Partnership.
Marion Short, from the Campaign for Borders Rail, said: "We are hopeful this is a start to more positive things happening.
"This progress is indicative in the long run that we're all working together now, hoping to achieve the railway for Hawick and Newcastleton.
"For us, it emphasises the importance and benefits (extending the line could have) in terms of regeneration and increasing tourism."
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