S&C groups back full Edinburgh-Carlisle reopening

Transport Scotland’s plans to investigate the possibility of reopening the Borders Railway between Tweedbank and Carlisle ( RAIL 825) have been welcomed by two groups championing the Settle-Carlisle Line.

The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line and the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company have backed the scheme, saying it would offer not only an alternative route between Leeds and Edinburgh (two key financial centres), but also provide car-free access to market towns along the S&C from southern Scotland, while at the same time promoting tourism from Yorkshire to the Borders.

Mark Rand, joint vice-chairman of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line, said: “People often ask why did the Victorians build a railway line from tiny Settle to the border city of Carlisle?

“It was part of a much greater whole - the Midland Railway’s main route from London St Pancras to Scotland via Leeds and Carlisle, from where what is today called the Borders Railway continued to Edinburgh.

“What opportunities the full Edinburgh-Carlisle reopening would enable! The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line welcomes this study with open arms.”

Reopening the railway would also offer “world-class scenery” for much of the route, it is argued. This could attract high numbers of tourists, as happens in Scandinavia.

Steve Broadbent, director of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, said: “A through Leeds-Carlisle-Edinburgh train service would be a ‘must-do experience’ for tourists - 200 miles of breathtaking British scenery.

“This key market for rail travel needs to be properly reflected in Borders Railway reopening evaluations. The Scottish and Westminster Governments must work closely together to maximise the potential of a fully reopened Anglo-Scottish route.”