Long term plans showing how Scotland's rail network could evolve over the next 30 years have been put out to consultation, but there is no mention of upgrading the recently opened and hugely successful Borders Railway.

Network Rail's Scotland Route Study says strong growth is expected in passenger and freight traffic over the coming decades north of the border. The study sets out a series of schemes that it says could improve connectivity, capacity and resilience on the existing network.

“We are very pleased with the opening of the Borders Railway in September but we believe it should be enhanced and extended,” says Campaign for Borders Rail chair Allan McLean.

Schemes listed in the draft consultation include four tracking part of the East Coast Mainline between Wallyford and Prestonpans and route enhancements such as double tracking towards Inverness and Aberdeen.

Supporters of the Borders Railway scheme, which runs between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, have said that the single track route should be double tracked in future to accommodate more services and reduce the chance of delays.

According to rail operator ScotRail the reopened Borders Railway's business case was for 600,000 passengers to be carried in its first year. In the first four weeks after opening the line carried 125,000 people, suggesting that the initial forecast will be exceeded by some margin.

Supporters of extending the Borders Railway further south include Member of Parliament for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk Calum Kerr. “The railway has already been a huge success and has helped to boost the region's economy,” he said. “However it will only reach its full potential when we are able to take the line on to Hawick and Carlisle.”

He added that there is a lot of work to do on this, including carrying out a feasibility study to evaluate the economic and social case. He added that it will require broad support from politicians, businesses, communities and third sector organisations to make it happen.

“For that reason, it is understandable why it is not included in Network Rail's future planning at the moment. But we hope to put it on the agenda and keep it there,” he adds.

Photo courtesy of Network Rail