NEXT STEPS FOR THE BORDERS RAILWAY

Even before the new Borders Railway opened in September 2015, the sceptics were already saying it would be a ‘white elephant’ and ‘would be closed within a year’. How wrong they were.

Within months of the line opening to Tweedbank, official figures were almost double predicted numbers. Since that time the line has gone from strength to strength and is proving highly successful.

It should also be remembered a huge planned housing development at Shawfair has only just started and when complete will dramatically increase passenger numbers using the station. So successful is Tweedbank the car park was increased by an additional 82 spaces in early 2018.

So where next for this route? From the outset the Campaign for Borders Rail has advocated the need to extend the line to Hawick and onwards to Carlisle. Government and local authorities are backing the campaign. John Lamont, MP for Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk is a keen supporter and raised questions in the House, and Jeremy Corbyn added his support when he visited the Borders in February 2018.

Tourism along the line has flourished and plans are in hand to further develop facilities, including refurbishing the station buildings at Newtongrange, Gorebridge and Stow.

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