John Lamont MP & Rachael Hamilton MSP met with Simon Walton and other representative of the Campaign for Borders Railway (CBR), along with local Hawick councillors today (Friday 8th August 2017).
The meeting follows last week’s vote by Scottish Borders Council to unanimously support a motion in favour of an extension to the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle via Newcastleton.
John and Rachael were delighted to repeat their support for this extension and add to the calls for it to incorporate stops at Hawick and Newcastleton before terminating at Carlisle.
The group have also today written to the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon David Mundell MP, stating their support for the Borders Railway to be considered as part of the Borderlands Growth Deal. The Borderlands Growth Deal will be designed to encourage investment in the Borderlands as well as foster vital cross-border links between English and Scottish local authorities, businesses and services.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said: “There is clear local appetite and a strong business case for extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle via Hawick on the old Newcastleton route. One of the great things about this, is that it would provide easy access for tourists coming to the Borders from the South as many trains connect at Carlisle.
“The railway extension would also provide future job prospects and educational opportunities and make the Borders more accessible for everyone.”
John Lamont MP said: "It was great to meet with the Campaign for Borders Rail today and discuss how we can push the Scottish Government to build the extension of the railway from Tweedbank onto Hawick and Carlisle via Newcastleton. There is clear cross party support for this proposal amongst the councillors.”
“I look forward to working with politicians of all parties and the Campaign for Borders Rail in achieving the extension of the Borders Railway”
Simon Walton, spokesman for the Campaign for Borders Rail, said that the meeting recognised the strategic importance of extending the railway through Hawick to Carlisle.
He added: "The benefits of a through route extend far beyond those communities directly served by the railway. Bringing a new railway to Hawick, and on to Carlisle, offers the most tangible and realistic way of improving opportunities for economic development.
“As an enshrined part of the Borderlands Growth Deal, a commitment to building the line would send a secure message about the future of the Borders, and go a long way to encouraging the inward investment we all so much desire. The benefits will be felt for generations to come."