Campaign for Borders Rail – Press Release 10 October 2017

Today, 10 October 2017, the Campaign for Borders Rail reached the milestone of 1000 members, representing a three-fold increase in membership since the Borders Railway opened.

Membership is at an all-time high. Campaign spokesman, Simon Walton, said this was a clear call to continue working for a through route across the Borders. He said: “We have always looked on the huge success the Borders Railway as a first phase towards our commitment to a railway that connects Edinburgh, Midlothian, the Borders and Carlisle. The full economic benefit, and the potential for a socially inclusive and sustainable network, can only be fully achieved by completing the rest of the line. The surge in our paid-up membership, and the many thousands who view, follow and contribute to our social media channels prove there is an unfulfilled desire to give the Borders the boost they need through completion of this railway project.”

Hard working membership secretary, Dave Adams, says the Campaign can still welcome new supporters, and he is already working towards the next millennium of members. He said that distribution of the Campaign’s well received document ‘Summary Case for a New Cross Border Rail Link’ had proved a popular recruiting tool as well. He said: “New members were offered a hard copy of the Summary Case, and it is already proving a valuable tool for promoting and explaining the Campaign case. I still urge existing members to recruit friends and family, and to see the Campaign as a tangible way to help regenerate the Borders.”

The Campaign newsletter (attached), already nominated for national awards, features an exclusive interview with Alex Hynes, the recently appointed managing director of the ScotRail Alliance. Already taking to the limelight, Alex Hynes said he was looking forward to the unique challenge of running Scotland’s main rail operator. He said: “It’s like no other railway operation in Britain. It’s a unique challenge. From the intense commuter services around Glasgow, to the Far North Lines, and, yes, the Borders. Everywhere is different and has different needs.”

AGM speakers include Alex Hynes. He will join a panel that includes Colin Glover, Leader of Carlisle City Council; Watson McAteer, Honorary Provost of Hawick; and Rachel Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. The AGM, at the Heart of Hawick is at 1pm on Saturday 21 October (formal business, open to members only) and a public session at 2.30pm featuring a ‘question time’ styled discussion with the panel of speakers. Members will again be given priority for seating at the venue. Simon Walton said the popularity of the AGM shows no sign of abating. He said: “For the third time in four years, we are heading for a full house. There is no denying the enthusiasm and desire among the Borders community. we will be seeking a further mandate from the membership to continue our campaign work. I’m confident of a very healthy endorsement for that motion.”

 

The Borders Railway is the northern part of the Waverley Route that closed in 1969 between Edinburgh and Carlisle through Galashiels and Hawick. It was formally opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 9 September 2015.