CBR has responded enthusiastically to the Leeds-based ‘Rail North’ consultation, endorsing the emphasis on improving connectivity from within the region to major centres in other regions such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. It has also made three key suggestions:
1 – The Rail North consortium should be expanded to include representation from local authorities in the South of Scotland as well as the Scottish transport agency, Transport Scotland.
2 – Rail North should also consider the development of a cross-Border inter-regional rail network with a central hub at Carlisle.
3 – Rail North should support the case for a link from Carlisle to the Borders Railway terminus at Tweedbank, thus reinstating the former ‘Waverley Route’ as a through line from Carlisle to Edinburgh.
The full text of the CBR response produced by London Officer, Nick Bethune is on: