Options to extend the Borders Railway could see the route join with up with the East Coast Mainline near Berwick-upon-Tweed, according to a study released by Transport Scotland.

 

Borders services were re-introduced between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in 2015 and campaigners have been pushing for the former Waverley Line route to be reopened in full south towards Hawick and Carlisle. But this new option to take the line out to the east represents an unexpected twist.

 

Details of the alternative alignment for a Borders rail extension are revealed in the ‘Borders Transport Corridors study draft report’ which contains 21 options to improve road, public transport and active travel links in the region.

 

Campaign for Borders Rail chairman Simon Walton said he did not fear the latest proposal would threaten his group’s aim of taking the rail line south: “We welcome any proposal that looks at railway development as rail is proven to be the best driver of economic generation, and that is what the Borders needs.

 

“We are happy to examine any possible railway extension, but our primary goal has always been to extend the line to Hawick and Carlisle.”

 

He added that such a route towards Berwick-upon-Tweed would likely make use of former railway corridor that used to pass through the administrative town of Newtown St Boswells which at one time was “the junction of almost all the railways in the Borders”.

 

Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk MP John Lamont said: “The suggestion that the line could be extended to the East Coast Mainline is an interesting one, but there is certainly less appetite for this option from my constituents. The Transport Scotland report notes that far more people access the Borders Rail from the south than from the east, so bringing the line to Hawick and on to Carlisle would seem to benefit more people.”

 

He added that in his view, the business case for bringing the line through Hawick to Carlisle is even stronger than the case for the current line.

 

The 21 options put forward in the Transport Scotland study to improve access through the Borders also include the completion of dualling of the A1 south of Edinburgh to the Scottish border, partial dualling on the A7 and A68 and building new rail stations on the existing Borders rail line.

 

Improved bus services, enhanced park and ride facilities and an active travel network across the Borders council area are also suggested. The six week public consultation on the document takes place ahead of the forthcoming second Strategic Transport Projects Review.

 

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This national review will ensure that we deliver transport improvements for all of Scotland which are fit for the 21st Century. I would encourage anyone with an interest to have their say.” The consultation period ends on 1 June.