10th Anniversary Civic Reception
Representatives of Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) attended a civic reception on Wednesday 9th September marking ten years since the Borders Railway was officially opened by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The event was hosted by Cllr Watson McAteer, Convenor of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) at The Tempest Brewing Co’s excellent new taproom at Tweedbank https://www.tempestbrewco.com/.
Guests – including many who had been directly involved in delivering the Borders Railway project – enjoyed a video presentation showcasing community transformation along the route and which included a stirring call for its extension from CBR Chair Marion Short. Guests heard rousing speeches from SBC leaders past and present, and long-time advocate of the Borders Railway Christine Grahame MSP, reflecting on what had been achieved and their ambitions to see the line extended. Speakers highlighted the crucial contributions of campaigners, including the late Madge Elliot MBE of Hawick, and CBR’s first chair Petra Biberbach, while the ongoing efforts of CBR were praised. CBR’s Peter Heubeck eloquently outlined the Campaign’s hopes for the now-funded official feasibility work on extending the line.
The formal proceedings concluded with an address by Scottish Government Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP who affirmed her government’s commitment to the feasibility process through the joint Borderlands growth deal agreed with the UK Government.
For further comment, contact Secretary John Liddle secretary@campaignforbordersrail.org