20.08.13
‘Extend Borders railway to Hawick’, say campaigners
The Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) is calling for an 18-mile extension to the Borders railway upgrade, to Hawick.
Transport Scotland said the completion of the Borders project would cut journey times for people living in the town. Bus services currently take over two hours from Hawick to Edinburgh.
Work is underway to connect Edinburgh to Tweedbank, but CPR has urged Transport Scotland to undertake a cost benefit analysis of the extension to future proof the line. The Waverley line linking Edinburgh to Carlisle, which also connected Hawick, was closed in 1969.
Simon Walton, who chairs the CBR, said: “Two generations of Hawick people have missed out on the opportunities for access to education, employment and involvement in rail-based tourism which they would have enjoyed if the railway to Edinburgh had not been closed in 1969.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The extension of the Borders railway to Hawick was considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review but was not recommended for taking forward.
“However, as part of the Borders railway project, SBC has formally committed to ensuring public transport systems, including local bus services and walking and cycling routes are integrated with services that will be provided by the railway to ensure wider regional access.”
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(Image: Transport Minister Keith Brown views the first track laid for the Borders railway at Millerhill, Midlothian)