Campaigners meet council to progress Borders plans

Talks have been held between Carlisle City Council and the Campaign for Borders Rail regarding reinstatement of the line from the Cumbrian city to Tweedbank.

Coun Colin Glover met representatives of CBR to discuss how reopening the line would stimulate economic growth. A survey is also being carried out into whether there should be a reopening ( RAIL 825), while CBR is carrying out its own work looking at the prospect of the railway’s return.

At the meeting, Glover confirmed a desire to reopen the route as part of a Borderlands Initiative for cross-border economic development. He said a rebuilt line through Longtown and Hawick was a logical step forward from the safeguarding of the route in the council’s existing Local Plan.

“There are clear benefits for Carlisle. Building a new line supports plans for growth all over the city and region,” he said.

“This would add significantly to economic growth in Longtown, the new air services from Carlisle, and our aims to encourage modal shift from road to rail for freight. This helps make Carlisle an even more vital part of the Northern Powerhouse.”

CBR Chairman Allan McLean said: “As part of an integrated plan for the Carlisle region, a rail link with the markets of the Borders makes perfect economic sense.

“Both governments, five local authorities, and a broad support from industry and communities make taking the Borders Railway through Hawick to Carlisle an unequivocal case.”

Glover will address the CBR’s Annual General Meeting in Hawick on October 21, while both bodies have meetings with UK and Scottish governments to press their joint case.