6 November 2012
CBR news release: Borders Railway contract signing
The Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) wholeheartedly welcomes the official signing of the transfer of responsibility for the construction of the Borders Railway from Transport Scotland to Network Rail. Now that the signing is complete Network Rail can officially begin the construction phase of the Borders Railway Project which will re-establish passenger railway services from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders for the first time in over 40 years.
CBR Chair Lorne Anton commented;
“CBR was launched in 1999 and has played a key role in leading grassroots support for the return of the railway – not least with out 17,200 signature Petition presented to the Scottish Parliaments Petitions Committee in March 2000. Together with the local community we also secured a station in the village of Stow which was not part of the original official proposal.”
“CBR wishes to put on record its thanks to all Scotland's National and Local Government Agencies, Government Ministers, MPs, MSPs, Councillors, business and trade union organisations, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, tourist attractions and tourism organisations, members of the public and supporters from across the world who have come together to give the Borders and Midlothian our railway back.”
CBR will continue to campaign for the extension of the re-opening to Hawick and eventually, Carlisle and sees the re-connection of Hawick to the national rail network as crucial to the towns future growth and prosperity. CBR will also actively support the setting up of a Community Rail Partnership for the Borders Railway and will continue to examine and comment on what is being proposed in the way of infrastructure and facilities for the Borders Railway.
Lorne Anton.
Chair,
Campaign for Borders Rail.
01890 781698 – lorneanton@yahoo.co.uk