Borders rail line stops short of original destination
Ally McGilvray • Published 20 Feb 2012 09:30
6 Comments
RAIL chiefs this week insisted plans to reopen the line between Edinburgh and the Borders remained on track - despite being forced to redraw proposals for the terminus in Tweedbank.
Transport Scotland submitted plans for the new station to Scottish Borders Council last week.
It has been forced to stop short of its original destination following the revelation that high voltage underground cables at the original site could cost a "significant sum" to move.
The national agency in charge of overseeing the £295million building project revealed the new line will now stop nearer Galashiels.
Speaking at this month's meeting of Tweedbank Community Council, Scottish Borders Council Leader David Parker said: "I think it (the station) is now in a much better position."
It is envisaged the new station will be built on the corner of Essenside Drive with a pedestrian entrance opposite Blakehope Court - although the road entrance would remain at a new roundabout to be built on Tweedbank Drive, opposite the entrance to the industrial estate, closer to where the station was originally to be built.
Transport Scotland has confirmed it has had to buy extra land to accommodate the modified design of Tweedbank Station and 284 space car park.
Community councillors this week voiced their support for the plans. However, the public has until the end of the month to make their views known.
Concerns had been raised that the new design could lead to an increase in traffic through the village, as well as rogue parking, and put lives at risk. But Scottish Borders Council has drawn up plans to build three sets of speed bumps and a puffin crossing on Tweedbank Drive to slow traffic down.
Michelle Rennie, from Borders Railway, said: "It should be noted that as a consequence of this alternative design the pedestrian access for residents of Tweedbank to the station platform is improved.
"In agreement with Scottish Borders Council, Transport Scotland has also committed to part fund traffic calming works along Tweedbank Drive, the scope of which has been discussed with Tweedbank Community Council."
Meanwhile, plans to build a pedestrian underpass beneath the railway in Heriot have been lodged with Scottish Borders Council this week. The application centres on land east and south of 2 Heriot Way.
The new rail link between Tweedbank and Edinburgh is due to open in December 2014.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 20 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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******
Feb 21, 08:38
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hazelkaye
226 posts
Feb 21, 11:58
Report comment -
hazelkaye
226 posts
Feb 21, 12:15
Report commentre "Here we go" (literally) - on second thoughts - there's now the ideal opportunity to provide a run-round for loco-hauled excursion trains at this redesigned Tweedbank station!
Recommend?
Yes 34
No 2
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Aoxomoxoa
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 11:29
Report comment...or not. The reports this morning are of a 'surprise' delay to 2015 (not a surprise to anyone who knows anything about this clusterf*** of a project).
Recommend? Yes 6
No 22
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hazelkaye
226 posts
Feb 22, 20:44
Report commentPS
Of course, had it not been so wantonly (politically) and hastily closed in January 1969 - all this hassle would have been avoided and Gala, Melrose, St B & Hawick etc would still be part of the Scottish rail network! WHAT A WASTE!
Recommend? Yes 34
No 4
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Aoxomoxoa
Unregistered User
Feb 25, 10:04
Report commentYes, but it WAS closed in 1969, so we have to deal with what we have - which is a half-cocked business plan that doesn't stand up to the scrutiny of a schoolchild. The business case is shot to pieces on the Borders Railway, all that is left is political careers desperately clinging on to the hope that a way will be found to get them through to the next election. All it takes is someone with the guts to expose the emperor's new clothes for what they are.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 14
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jinman72
4 posts
Feb 25, 22:01
Report commentNot surprised at all at this announcement, these underground cables were "discovered" about a year ago, its amazing how these highly paid surveyors and consultants didn't find them when they were surveying the route. Maybe its a good excuse to put paid to any future extension to Melrose, St Boswells and Hawick?
Recommend? Yes 2
No 8
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