Funds in place for Borders Railway extension study

A funding package has been confirmed to allow a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway to go ahead.

The UK Department for Transport has committed up to £5m towards the project with that sum matched by the Scottish government.

The funding had previously been agreed through the Borderlands Growth Deal but the new UK Labour government wanted to carry out a spending review before releasing its share.

It paves the way to appoint a project manager to assess the "benefits and challenges" of extending the line beyond Tweedbank and on to Carlisle.

The news comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the line between Edinburgh and the Borders later this year.

Both the Scottish and UK governments agreed in 2021 to provide £10m towards exploring the feasibility of progressing the line from Tweedbank to Carlisle.

However, it has taken four years for the funding package to be finally unlocked.

UK government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "It's great news that the UK Department for Transport has now confirmed up to £5m towards feasibility work to explore the potential to extend the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Carlisle.

"We look forward to working with deal partners as the feasibility work progresses."

Scotland's Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the Scottish government remained committed to providing £5m towards taking the project forward.

"We welcome the news that the UK government will now match our commitment of up to £5m for a feasibility study to extend the Borders Railway and are supportive of partners securing a project manager with the technical expertise to deliver the project well," she said.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy added: "I'm pleased to commit to the progression of the Borders Railway extension, which would open up the route for more people to explore the region's picturesque landscapes and rich heritage, and I look forward to seeing how the proposal develops."

Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said they were making "significant strides" towards the extension of the line.

"We have already seen the positive impact the Waverley line has brought to the Borders," he said.

"This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of partnership in driving positive change and transforming our region for the better."