Local politicians, Rachael Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP have raised concern over the SNP’s intention to improve Borders Transport despite the publication of the Borders Transport Corridors - Pre-Appraisal Draft March 2018.
The report suggests 21 recommendations ranging from improved road safety to the extension of Borders Rail.
The report said of Borders Rail: ‘The Borders Railway has shown how investment in rail infrastructure can yield benefit for travellers, the environment, the economy and communities.’
However, the report did raise affordability as an area of concern for extending the Borders Rail despite strong public backing for the project.
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire said: ‘This report says nothing that the Scottish Borders doesn’t already know. The Scottish Borders needs better transport and knows that better transport would improve the Scottish Borders economy. Indeed, the recommendations are things that we have been calling for for years.
‘In fact improved safety on A1, A7 and A68 should already have happened. The SNP Government should get on and do these safety improvements as a matter of urgency.
‘And in order to create jobs and growth and to improve opportunities for young people the Scottish Government must make a long term commitment to investing in improved transport links’
John Lamont MP said: ‘The Transport Scotland study highlights what many people in the Borders already know – that connectivity in the area needs to be much better.
‘The study presents a range of options for improvements, including alternative proposals for the Borders railway. I hope the SNP Government will listen to the strong public support and economic benefits and choose to extend the line.
‘The Scottish Government have been handed £3.6bn to spend on railways, an increase of £600m on the previous period. There is really no excuse to avoid starting planning now for the Borders Railway extension.’