Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton, has written to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, after a weekend of chaos on the railways.

A busy weekend of events in the capital meant that there were many people using the railways so that they could attend the rugby or go to the Fringe.

However, there were widespread cancellations and overcrowding on services, including on the Borders Railway.

Rachael decided to write to the First Minister after receiving previous assurances from Scotrail that they would put on extra carriages when there are major events happening.

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton said:

“Constituents get in touch with me time and time again about poor service on the Borders Railway when there is big event like the rugby on in Edinburgh and unfortunately this past weekend was no different”

“People use the train in good faith because they know the roads in Edinburgh will be busy at these times. However, the expectations of ordinary people looking to enjoy a jaunt in the big lights of the city are falling flat by overcrowded trains and cancellations”

“I have heard that some people have had to pay for eye watering taxi fares out of their own pocket to get home to the Borders from the capital as they had no other option”

“Scotrail and the Scottish Government must get on top of this situation before Borderers desert the train for good”