THE vexed question of whether to extend the successful Borders Railway beyond Galashiels to Hawick and possibly Carlisle is being put out to an online public consultation.
The Scottish Government has revealed that people using the transport network in the Borders will be invited to give their views on extending the railway and other transport issues.
All people who live or work in, or travel through, the Borders are being encouraged to complete an online survey asking for their views on how the transport network could be improved for road, rail and bus users, cyclists and pedestrians. The survey is one element of the Borders Transport Corridors Study being carried out by Transport Scotland and consultants Jacobs UK.
It will look specifically at the potential for improved transport links to act as an economic catalyst for development on these corridors.
The Borders Railway extension has caused controversy in the area, with residents of Hawick and other towns demanding they should be connected to the new line that runs from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “In the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government a commitment was given to examine the case for an extension of the Borders railway along with improvements to the A1, A7 and A68. Transport Scotland and its consultants are now considering a number of issues including accessibility in the Borders and links between its communities and the key markets of Edinburgh, Carlisle and Newcastle.
“The study will identify issues and opportunities on transport routes and identify where improvements can be made.
“As part of that work, we want to hear the views of the public and we are asking anyone with an interest in improving transport in the Borders to complete the online survey on the study’s web page.
“The comments received as part of this engagement will inform the final report which is expected by the end of the year.”
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