LOCAL MP Michael Moore is asking Borderers to back a campaign for better transport infrastructure to link with the new railway.

With less than one year to go until the Borders Railway is running, Mr Moore has launched a survey to gauge how commuters from across the entire region can benefit.

He believes that not only will the Borders be re-connected to the national rail network once again, making it easier for people to visit family and friends and do business in other parts of the country, but the railway will also attract many more visitors to the region than ever before. And this presents the Borders with an opportunity to strengthen the local economy, particularly in our service and tourist sectors.

But he wants to know how best to strengthen transport infrastructure.

Mr Moore told the Border Telegraph: “The Borders railway presents us all with a fantastic opportunity, not only to develop our local economy through increased tourism and business opportunities but to improve our transport infrastructure.

“When the railway is up and running, it is in all of our interests to make sure we have good transport links that can take tourists to visitor attractions all around the Borders and allow more people living in the Borders to access the railway system. “I want to consider all aspects of transport from the state of the roads in Galashiels to bus timetables in Hawick.

“Surveys will be delivered to homes in Galashiels, Tweedbank, Selkirk and Hawick very soon, and I hope people will be generous enough with their time to let me know their thoughts about transport in their area so that we can all work together on this very important issue.” Mr Moore’s transport survey will initially ask residents in Galashiels, Tweedbank, Selkirk and Hawick what they think about roads and busses. The survey will also ask residents about the railway itself, how often people will use it and what they think the main benefits of the railway will be to them.