What's the hold up? Deputy First Minister quizzed on Borders Railway extension during visit to Hawick
'There's obviously a range of priorities that the government wrestles with on a constant basis'
Last updated 6th Sep 2022
Today marks seven years since the new Borders Railway welcomed its first fare-paying passengers.
The line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank was the longest new domestic railway to be built in Britain in over 100 years.
But Scotland's Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, was unable to say when work will start on a study into the feasibility of extending the line, onwards to Carlisle.
He was quizzed by Radio Borders during a visit to Hawick where he attended a meeting of the Convention of South of Scotland.
You can read the full transcript of our interview below...
Reporter: When will work start on a study into the feasibility of extending the Borders Railway?
Mr Swinney: "The Borders Railway has been an unparalleled success - the passenger numbers; the boost to communities as a consequence of that; improvement of connectivity; and the creation of routes and connections that bring people into the Borders has been really significant.
"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to taking forward the consideration of the extension of the railway line.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm and the energy of communities such as in Hawick to be part of that development, and the government will take forward that priority just as we've promised that we will do - to assess the viability and the feasibility of extending the route."
Reporter: Both the UK and Scottish governments pledged £5 million each towards the project THREE YEARS AGO - will it happen within the lifetime of this Parliament?
Mr Swinney: "The government will take forward this priority as quickly as we possibly can do, and to make sure that we engage constructively with Scottish Borders Council and with communities to make sure we can address all of the relevant issues."
Reporter: What's the hold up?
Mr Swinney: "There's obviously a range of priorities that the government wrestles with on a constant basis. We are committed to taking forward the feasibility study on the extension of the Borders Railway.
"What has been accomplished so far has been an enormous success and we're keen to explore how more Borders communities can be involved in that process."
Earlier this year we revealed fears cross-border politics may be behind the delay to the start of work on a study into the feasibility of extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle.
Former local authority convener David Parker, who's been re-elected to the ward which includes the current rail terminus in Tweedbank, believes one way to get the project back on track is to focus on building the next stage of the line to Hawick.
And, with the political will, he believes the first trains in more than half a century could arrive in the Borders biggest town by 2028.