Borders Railway - 10 years on

[oldman]

There was large-scale house-building in Midlothian long before the railway was opened; Lothian Buses got funding to serve new developments in the Bonnyrigg area more than 20 years ago .

I guess the railway makes development in the more distant parts like Gorebridge more attractive, and houses close to stations may be a bit pricier than those further away, but I doubt if it has made a big difference to the urbanisation of the area.

The same is likely true of the Borders - Gala/Tweedbank may be a bit more attractive but there is also a lot of development in towns away from the railway, like Peebles or Lauder (on the A68).

 

[LickeyIncliner]

It's interesting to hear that the increase in house building hasn't happened in the Borders as much as in Midlothian.

I worked on the 1999 Borders Railway Feasibility Study, and the forecast then was that the Midlothian part of the line would encourage (and help to absorb the traffic resulting from) additional housing development.

The Borders part of the line, in contrast, was intended and expected to reduce the loss of population from Galashiels and neighbouring settlements - which wouldn't require any net increase in housing.

The latter point reappears as "Investment Objective 3" in Transport Scotland's 2018 post-opening study.

 

[GordonT]

Interesting, perhaps, but hardly surprising. The jobs are in Edinburgh

And also housing is cheaper outwith the city so folk who ideally would like to live in Edinburgh but can't afford to tend to gravitate to locations which are close by and have good transport links.

Dalgety Bay in Fife had a new station opened in 1998 which serves a similar significant demand. Like Gorebridge, Dalgety Bay is a 30-minute commute to/from Edinburgh.

 

[och aye]

I worked on the 1999 Borders Railway Feasibility Study, and the forecast then was that the Midlothian part of the line would encourage (and help to absorb the traffic resulting from) additional housing development. The Borders part of the line, in contrast, was intended and expected to reduce the loss of population from Galashiels and neighbouring settlements - which wouldn't require any net increase in housing. The latter point reappears as "Investment Objective 3" in Transport Scotland's 2018 post-opening study.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[stevieinselby]

On that note, has there been a reopening in recent history that hasn’t been a success?

There are certainly some stations that have distinctly underwhelming ridership numbers – Reston and Bow Street are two that spring to mind, although I'm not sure what numbers were predicted – but new lines that got built all seem to have pretty healthy numbers. Perhaps that's an indication of the high bar that is set for getting a new line opened!

I've spent some time over the last couple of years in Peebles. Speaking to a hotel manager he said the railway has pushed up house prices as Edinburgh is now a much easier commute. A problem for a business which needs to employ lots of people in lower salary roles in an area with a low population density.

I'm surprised if would make much of a difference to Peebles, when journeys to Edinburgh are still quicker on the direct X62 bus than going via Galashiels – maybe for some people they drive to Galashiels to get the train but wouldn't get the bus.

Does anyone think it will get extended to Carlisle again?

Not a chance. The section to Tweedbank only got built because the Scottish government were funding it and they are more willing to spend money than the Treasury – but they would have no interest in connecting Scots to England. But even on their more generous terms, it would be a non-starter, let alone if it had to be paid for by Great British Railways.

Even extending it to Hawick looks pretty unlikely to be viable, but getting from one side of Hawick to the other would be extremely challenging, and then you've got a long route through pretty unfriendly terrain with no chance to pick up intermediate passengers until you're almost at Carlisle. It's no use as an alternative through route because it's too slow to compete with the route via Carstairs, and it's no use for freight because it doesn't go where freight trains need to go.

It's just another example of crayonistas and hobby-horse riders wasting everyone's time, enthusiasm and money on a nonsense proposal that gets people's hopes up only to have reality come crashing in and leaving them disappointed and frustrated.

 

[JKP]

I agree that an extension to Carlisle is unlikely. The largest settlement that would benefit beyond Hawick would be Newcastleton. I agree that reinstatement of the line through Hawick would be problematical and difficult to justify in money for value terms.

The opening of the new Centre Parcs north of Hawick could see some growth in demand but suspect such will be catered for by road.

 

[busesrusuk]

I thought that Hawick would be a sensible end of line. Looking at Google maps, it would seem reasonably straight forward to terminate on the north side of the river close to the Teviotdale leisure centre with little or no destruction required apart from the loss of a few parking spaces. Short walk across the bridge into the town centre it seems...

 

[Kingston Dan]

I thought that Hawick would be a sensible end of line. Looking at Google maps, it would seem reasonably straight forward to terminate on the north side of the river close to the Teviotdale leisure centre with little or no destruction required apart from the loss of a few parking spaces. Short walk across the bridge into the town centre it seems...

Yup also with stations at the Borders General Hospital/Melrose and Borders Council/Newtown St Boswells would link up two of the biggest employers/destinations in the region.

 

[LickeyIncliner]

Not a chance [the Borders Railway will get extended to Carlisle]. The section to Tweedbank only got built because the Scottish government were funding it and they are more willing to spend money than the Treasury – but they would have no interest in connecting Scots to England. But even on their more generous terms, it would be a non-starter, let alone if it had to be paid for by Great British Railways.

I'd agree with the odds, except that I understand there is a major feasibility into further reopening being undertaken at the moment, paid 50% by Holyrood and 50% by Westminster.

 

[yoyothehobo]

I'd agree with the odds, except that I understand there is a major feasibility into further reopening being undertaken at the moment, paid 50% by Holyrood and 50% by Westminster.

Hopefully the feasibility study will end it once and for all

 

[styles]

Hopefully the feasibility study will end it once and for all

When it was announced, part of me wondered if that was the intention of the study.

The Borders Council have a dedicated section on their website for it: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/public-community-transport/borders-railway

Nothing new to quote, but to comply with forum rules...

The first section of the reinstated Borders Railway opened to passengers in September 2015, linking Central Borders with Edinburgh. Much of the route followed the old Waverley route.
In the ten years since opening in 2015, the Borders Railway delivered well over 13 million journeys, providing stronger connectivity for commuters and visitors and supporting the delivery of economic growth and redevelopment opportunities along the railway corridor.
The success of the route has seen calls to extend the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick and Carlisle.
In 2021, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal committed up to £10m to fund business case analysis and feasibility work associated with extending the Borders Railway line beyond Tweedbank, with a £5m allocation from both the UK Scottish Governments. This commitment was confirmed by both Governments in February 2025.
During April 2025, we appointed Project Manager Turner & Townsend to lead the business case and feasibility work for the potential rail extension. This role includes Turner & Townsend being the key contact for the project and to help procure appropriate consultants and contractors where required for the completion of the business case and feasibility work.

 

[David M]

Yup also with stations at the Borders General Hospital/Melrose and Borders Council/Newtown St Boswells would link up two of the biggest employers/destinations in the region.

Except that Council offices in Newtown St Boswells are next to empty on a daily basis as most staff work from home or from other council offices now.
And, yes, it is baffling that SBC recently renovated the offices at Newtown.

 

[Mr. SW]

There were plans to develop housing on the Mart in Newton St B. Maybe this will happen. Perhaps. Some time.

 

[snookertam]

There are certainly some stations that have distinctly underwhelming ridership numbers – Reston and Bow Street are two that spring to mind, although I'm not sure what numbers were predicted – but new lines that got built all seem to have pretty healthy numbers. Perhaps that's an indication of the high bar that is set for getting a new line opened!

I'm surprised if would make much of a difference to Peebles, when journeys to Edinburgh are still quicker on the direct X62 bus than going via Galashiels – maybe for some people they drive to Galashiels to get the train but wouldn't get the bus.

Not a chance. The section to Tweedbank only got built because the Scottish government were funding it and they are more willing to spend money than the Treasury – but they would have no interest in connecting Scots to England. But even on their more generous terms, it would be a non-starter, let alone if it had to be paid for by Great British Railways.

Even extending it to Hawick looks pretty unlikely to be viable, but getting from one side of Hawick to the other would be extremely challenging, and then you've got a long route through pretty unfriendly terrain with no chance to pick up intermediate passengers until you're almost at Carlisle. It's no use as an alternative through route because it's too slow to compete with the route via Carstairs, and it's no use for freight because it doesn't go where freight trains need to go.

It's just another example of crayonistas and hobby-horse riders wasting everyone's time, enthusiasm and money on a nonsense proposal that gets people's hopes up only to have reality come crashing in and leaving them disappointed and frustrated.

Not sure I understand the suggestion that the Scottish government wouldn’t be interested in a connection to England. They’re hardly isolationists, and if a feasibility study showed benefit to the areas served then I’m sure they’d make investment available.

 

[waverley47]

Not sure I understand the suggestion that the Scottish government wouldn’t be interested in a connection to England. They’re hardly isolationists, and if a feasibility study showed benefit to the areas served then I’m sure they’d make investment available.

Honestly, the Scottish government doesn't have any interest in connecting the areas on the 'English' side of the hills, that being Newcastleton, Langholm and down the areas down the Esk and Liddel valleys, with England, using a railway line that they pay for.

The population of the entire catchment area is less than 5000 people.

Nobody should have an interest in building a railway to serve 5000 people. That's madness.

They also don't have an interest in building a railway line from Hawick, over the hills and down to Carlisle. They shouldn't do, because nobody lives there, and it would be a catastrophic, hilarious waste of money. This is the case regardless of whether or not the Borders line has made it to Hawick, because either way, it would be an actual of economic stupidity to do so.

 

[The exile]

Not sure I understand the suggestion that the Scottish government wouldn’t be interested in a connection to England. They’re hardly isolationists, and if a feasibility study showed benefit to the areas served then I’m sure they’d make investment available.

It’s not a matter of being isolationist. For long distance travel there are already two routes across the border. Local traffic at the south end would be principally into Carlisle.

The main economic beneficiaries of the various travel reasons would be: Work (Scotland), shopping (England), leisure and entertainment (England).

With no disrespect to Carlisle, its magnetism as a centre of well-paid employment is limited and given the extremely rural nature of its Scottish hinterland, car-ownership will be second nature. The romance might stack up, but the finances (and to be honest the net social benefit measured at a national level) don’t.

 

[Brush 4]

I hope Hawick isn't bound up with the Carlisle idea. It and Melrose, St Boswells has a much stronger case without Carlisle. Binding it to Carlisle could sink it. They are separate projects, or at least should be....

 

[zwk500]

I hope Hawick isn't bound up with the Carlisle idea. It and Melrose, St Boswells has a much stronger case without Carlisle. Binding it to Carlisle could sink it. They are separate projects, or at least should be....

I don't think it's binding it to Carlisle that's sinking it. The A6091 and adjacent development sinks any extension beyond Tweedmouth Tweedbank station, Carlisle just helps tie it to the floor.

 

[RT4038]

I don't think it's binding it to Carlisle that's sinking it. The A6091 and adjacent development sinks any extension beyond Tweedmouth station, Carlisle just helps tie it to the floor.

Tweedmouth would be interesting, but Tweedbank likely more accurate?

 

[zwk500]

Tweedmouth would be interesting, but Tweedbank likely more accurate?

Good spot, not sure if that's an autocorrect error or self-checking failure! Post amended...

 

[cats_five]

Honestly, the Scottish government doesn't have any interest in connecting the areas on the 'English' side of the hills, that being Newcastleton, Langholm and down the areas down the Esk and Liddel valleys, with England, using a railway line that they pay for.

The population of the entire catchment area is less than 5000 people.

Nobody should have an interest in building a railway to serve 5000 people. That's madness.

They also don't have an interest in building a railway line from Hawick, over the hills and down to Carlisle. They shouldn't do, because nobody lives there, and it would be a catastrophic, hilarious waste of money. This is the case regardless of whether or not the Borders line has made it to Hawick, because either way, it would be an actual of economic stupidity to do so.

Would have thought a through route to Carlisle would have value as a freight route (logs from Kielder which is being felled on a 60-year rotation?), and for occasional diversions. As you say, there is no value in spending that much money for that low a population.

 

[zwk500]

Would have thought a through route to Carlisle would have value as a freight route (logs from Kielder which is being felled on a 60-year rotation?), and for occasional diversions.

A nominal value at best, which would not change the outcome of any appraisal. And the margins on freight are very small, so any capital contribution to the route by an intending freight customer would be minimal.

 

[Falcon1200]

Would have thought a through route to Carlisle would have value as a freight route (logs from Kielder which is being felled on a 60-year rotation?), and for occasional diversions.

Probably mentioned before, but use for diversions would require electrification, double track and sufficient trains booked to run that way to ensure route knowledge was retained.

 

[zwk500]

Probably mentioned before, but use for diversions would require electrification, double track and sufficient trains booked to run that way to ensure route knowledge was retained.

Not to mention diversions would require additional capacity or regular service cancellations. For comparison, do Avanti still retain any diversionary capability via Dumfries?

 

[Bald Rick]

Let us not forget that one of the objectives of the Borders reopening was to win votes in the Scottish Parliament…

 

[styles]

Let us not forget that one of the objectives of the Borders reopening was to win votes in the Scottish Parliament…

I may be misunderstanding, but a political party promising something to get elected, getting elected, then delivering on it seems fine to me?

Or are you talking about the extension to Hawick/Carlisle/etc?

 

[The exile]

Let us not forget that one of the objectives of the Borders reopening was to win votes in the Scottish Parliament…

Any party that regularly did things that didn’t would soon not be in a position to do anything!

 

[snookertam]

It’s not a matter of being isolationist. For long distance travel there are already two routes across the border. Local traffic at the south end would be principally into Carlisle.

The main economic beneficiaries of the various travel reasons would be: Work (Scotland), shopping (England), leisure and entertainment (England).

With no disrespect to Carlisle, its magnetism as a centre of well-paid employment is limited and given the extremely rural nature of its Scottish hinterland, car-ownership will be second nature. The romance might stack up, but the finances (and to be honest the net social benefit measured at a national level) don’t.

I get that there might be a lot of economic reasons not to reopen to Carlisle, but the post I quoted seemed to hint that it would be for ideological reasons.

 

[fegguk]

All the local politician and parties support reopening, how sincere they are one has to question. Generally there is nothing else in their manifestos that would lead to you to conclude that they support the degree of modal shift that would make it viable. This is particularly true when they are promoting Dualling the A1 and improving other local roads, with no indication of whose taxes will pay for it.

 

[Bald Rick]

I may be misunderstanding, but a political party promising something to get elected, getting elected, then delivering on it seems fine to me?

Or are you talking about the extension to Hawick/Carlisle/etc?

What I was saying, obliquely, was that there won’t be votes won to the Scottish Parliament for building a line through England.