TWEEDBANK industrial estate could be redeveloped to take advantage of the new Borders rail line, community councillors heard this week.

Scottish Borders Council Leader David Parker revealed talks were ongoing to discuss how local communities could benefit from the new line linking the region with Edinburgh.

It emerged at least one of the trains could be decked out in special livery to promote local attractions; the route could be given its own platform and promotional boards at Waverley Station to entice visitors; and new shuttle buses links could be create to link Tweedbank with the likes of Abbotsford House and Melrose.

However, the exact details of the type of trains which will run on the line won’t be known until the new rail franchise is announced next month.

Speaking at this month’s meeting of Tweedbank Community Council, Councillor Parker said: “There is quite a lot going on behind the scenes at the moment.

“One of the things we are looking at is qhat we might do with the industrial estate and wider Tweedbank area.” The Council Leader also confirmed that the new rail terminus in the Borders will be named Tweedbank. However, it will include the wording: “Alight for Melrose and Abbotsford”.

It follows a long running debate over what to call the station, with some campaigning for it to be called Abbotsford or Tweedbank for Abbotsford to highlight the area’s links with the nearby tourist attraction Abbotsford House - the former home of world renowned author Sir Walter Scott.

The meeting heard the original line was named after a series of novels by the author and trains also carried their names.

Community councillors suggested a new nature path could be created through Killie Holes in Tweedbank to link the terminus with Gunknowe Loch, the shop and restaurant, and Abbotsford House.

Referring to the station signage, Councillor Parker added: “We don’t need to mention Gala because Gala has a station.” Meanwhile, it has emerged, a weekend of celebrations is being planned to mark the opening of the line in September next year.

While the first trains are due to run on the line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank on September 6, an official opening could take place a day earlier - with the first tickets being distributed to communities along the length of the line who have been worst affected by the £294 million construction contract.

The meeting heard a model rail exhibition could be held in the community centre.

Community council chairman John Cavaroli said: “I’d like to see us do something here since it is the terminus, and involve the children from the school, I think it’s really important.”