New Transport Minister reveals 'major problem' facing campaign to extend Borders Railway
Last updated 10th May 2023
He's only been in the job five weeks.
But north-east MSP Kevin Stewart is getting his feet under the table as Scotland's new Transport Minister.
"I have to say that these seats are immensley comfortable," he told Greatest Hits Radio, as he relaxed on the upper deck of Borders Buses latest vehicle at the Transport Interchange in Galashiels.
"Even better is the wireless charging at the table," he added.
Mr Stewart visited the Borders to launch a new drive to encourage more people to take the bus.
It follows concerns many are still reluctant to return to public transport following the pandemic, when health chiefs advised against visiting crowded places.
"It's time to get back out and about again, on the bus," Mr Stewart announced. "It's good for the environment; it's good for our mental health, getting out or connecting with family and friends; and it's an easy way to travel.
"The restrictions of the pandemic had a significant effect on people’s travel behaviours and it’s clear the transport sector still has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels of patronage."
But he added: "This Scottish Government has introduced free bus travel for Under 22s, a significant step in supporting bus industry recovery and helping to establish sustainable travel choices in younger generations for the future. And, of course, free bus travel is also available to disabled people and those aged 60."
The Choose the Bus Campaign is being welcomed by Borders Buses managing director Colin Craig. He said: "Working patterns have changed so that’s had an impact on frequencies that we operate. But the Borders is a beautiful part of the world and we have a good network of services."
The Transport Minister's visit comes after confirmation was received that a cross-border consensus has now been reached on the strategic merits of extending the Borders Railway.
When asked if work on a feasibility study would start this year, Mr Stewart replied: "We continue to look at these things; I'm five weeks into this job, and I'm looking at all the major projects we have on the go.
"Obviously Edinburgh to Tweedbank has been a success, we need to see if we can build on that success.
"But we're also reliant on funding from the UK government and from the treasury. And I think it's essential that the UK government stops the austerity agenda, opens the purse strings, and that we get on with creating new infrastructure for Scotland."
Both the UK and Scottish governments pledged £5 million each towards a feasibility study, as part of the Borderlands Growth Deal FOUR YEARS ago.
Partner authorities – Carlisle City, Cumbria County, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland and Scottish Borders councils – are now expected to agree a refreshed business case to release the funding.
Mr Stewart continued: "I think the study's a good thing but, beyond that, we need long-term committed investment to actually get projects off the ground.
"And this is a major problem that we have in the fact that the UK treasury works on annual budgeting, where other countries look at long-term infrastructure investment. That's what we need to get things going; that's what we need in terms of (improving) connectivity between the Borders and other parts of the country."
READ MORE: Could we see trains running on this route through the Scottish Borders once again?
The UK Department of Transport says it continues to work with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to support the Borderlands Partnership in scoping and costing a proposal for the next stage of work on the Borders Railway project.
READ MORE: Arrest made as bomb disposal team called to Borders property after 'suspect materials' found
A spokesperson said: “We remain committed to improving transport services in Scotland and continue to work with the devolved governments to ensure that transport works for all people across the UK.
“Projects in Scotland have been allocated more than £60 million from our Levelling Up Fund, including the Fair Isle Ferry Infrastructure Project, River Leven Regeneration in Fife and a Green Transport Hub in Dundee.”
And they added: "Once the Borderlands Partnership have developed a costed proposal, this will be submitted to both the UK and Scottish Governments, to enable Ministers to consider drawing down funding for further work, in line with the terms set out in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal."
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