Borders Railway Expansion to Carlisle: Progress Update

0:00On April 9th, the border's railway could soon stretch all the way to Carlyle, with an outline business case expected by late next year. This extension would push the line beyond its current end, at Tweedbank, linking Edinburgh to more northern England spots. The project kicked off with funding locked in over a year ago for a full feasibility study. Back in September 2015, the railway opened between Edinburgh Waverly and Tweedbank, and folks have been pushing hard ever since to go. Further, in 2021, Scotland and the UK government split the cost of a 10 million pound study under the Borderlands growth deal. Turner and Townsend stepped in as project managers last March. Campaigners are getting impatient with the slow pace, voicing real frustration over the delays. They see this line as a game changer for jobs, travel, and growth in the border areas, but the weight is testing everyone's nerves. Right now, consultancy bids for the business case are out, with hopes to name those experts by early next month. A fresh report heads to Scottish Boarders Council soon to seal the deal, and they're

1:03building a dedicated webpage for progress updates. Keep an eye on that site as things heat up. This could redefine how we connect these historic borderlands for years to come.