SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) has been working with partners to put in place plans for the opening of the Borders Railway.

A series of events are being held to celebrate the return of the railway, which opens to the public on Sunday 6 September, culminating on Wednesday 9 September, when members of the public are welcome to attend Tweedbank Station where Her Majesty the Queen will unveil a plaque to officially open the Borders Railway.

The event takes place at Tweedbank Station where the car park is being used as a spectator area. Local bands will be playing from 11am, and the event is being compered by Alasdair Hutton, the voice of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Her Majesty the Queen is due to arrive at 12.18pm.

If you are planning to come along, make sure you give yourself plenty time as it is likely to be very busy. Entry is from 9.30am and bag searches will take place as a security precaution.

Toilets will be available but there will be no catering/refreshment facilities on site so you may want to bring your own. This is a free event –no tickets are required.

People are encouraged to travel by bicycle, foot or bus due to car parking being very restricted in the Tweedbank area.

· Bus services - Advertised bus services will operate as normal on Wednesday 9 September. Bus services will be subject to delays due to temporary road closures in operation. Bus timetables for all operators can be viewed on www.travelinescotland.com or telephone 0871 200 22 33.

· Trains - Train services are subject to alterations on this day – more information at www.scotrail.co.uk/borders-service-alterations · On foot - Access to the event is available from either direction along Tweedbank Drive.

· Car parking around Tweedbank - If you travel by car, access will only be via Melrose Roundabout. You will be directed by stewards. Car parking is likely to be some distance away, such as the Darnick area.

· Disabled access (Blue Badge holders only) - Disabled parking and viewing areas will be provided. Access will only be via Melrose Roundabout where stewards will provide further instruction.

Want to see the Royal steam train?

The Royal steam train is passing through the towns at the following times, subject to change on the day: · 11.24am Heriot · 11.35am Fountainhall · 11.56am Stow · 12.07pm Galashiels · 12.18pm Tweedbank.

The train will slow down as it approaches Galashiels – and will travel slowly through Galashiels only.

Although there are some iconic viewpoints along the route of the railway line, members of the public are advised that parking is extremely limited and there will be no waiting on the A7 and the C11 (which runs parallel to the A7), outwith towns and official laybys for safety reasons.

Members of the public who would like to view the train as it passes are being encouraged to go to designated viewing points at: - Asda car park in Galashiels - Low Buckholmside in Galashiels (behind B&Q/Sports Direct/Halfords) Public are advised to avoid trying to see the train from Ladhope Vale as it is not a great viewing point due to the height of the wall. Other viewing points advice is available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/bordersrailway Safety is paramount during the celebrations and SBC is supporting British Transport Police (BTP) to remind people to enjoy the opening without taking any risks. When visiting the opening of the Borders Railway line, please do so from a safe place and go to the viewing points as published. Please do not be tempted to stray over the railway boundary fence and risk your safety. It is dangerous and an offence to trespass on the railway, and doing so could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Road closures and parking restrictions Vehicle movement around all three stations will be restricted and temporary closures will be in place for periods of time during the day.

Full details on all the opening events is available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/bordersrailway Councillor David Parker, Leader of SBC, added: “I do hope as many people as possible come out to celebrate the arrival of the Borders Railway. There is a huge amount of work underway to prepare for this exciting event, we are doing everything we can along with our partners to ensure everyone enjoys the occasion. We would like to thank everyone in advance for their understanding on the back of any potential disruption which may result.” Other information Saturday 5 September – Golden Ticket Day: · On this day, Golden ticket holders will travel on three special trains covering the full route · Members of the public, family or friends of golden ticket holders will not be permitted entry to the stations or event areas for any of the Golden Ticket ceremonies.

· All the car parks at the train stations will remain closed on Saturday (as the railway line does not officially open to the public until Sunday 6 September).

· Vehicle movement around all three stations will be restricted and temporary road closures will be in place for periods of time during the day.

· Golden ticket holders should have now received their packs and instructions for the day.

Sunday 6 September - Borders Railway opens to customers: · The first services on Sunday 6 September is expected to be very busy. The first northbound service departs Tweedbank at 08:45 and the first southbound train from Edinburgh leaves at 09:11, with an hourly service in each direction until around 23:00.

· Tickets for travel on Borders trains cannot be reserved for a particular service, so queuing systems will be in place at busier stations.

· ScotRail is encouraging people to buy their tickets in advance online or by telephone – although they can be bought on the day as well. Passengers who can travel later in the day on 6 September will face shorter queues.

· ScotRail has stressed that space will be kept on trains departing Edinburgh and Tweedbank to allow room for customers boarding at intermediate stations.

· A temporary café service will be available in a marquee across the road from Tweedbank Station. More information from www.scotrail.co.uk Tuesday 8 September - Tweedbank Station car park temporary closure: · As the car park at Tweedbank will be used as a spectator area during the opening celebrations on Wednesday 9 September, the car park will close at 12.01am on Tuesday 8 September and will reopen at 9pm on Wednesday 9 September - or earlier if possible.

· All train travellers – including those on the 2354 service from Edinburgh Waverley - are asked to remove their vehicles from Tweedbank Station before the closure.

· Any vehicle left in the car park after midnight on Monday 7 September will be removed in accordance with Railway Byelaw 14(5) of the Transport Act 2000.