Bypass link to rail highlighted by Selkirk councillor
CONFIRMATION that work has started on the Borders rail link strengthens the case for a Selkirk bypass, according to local councillor Vicky Davidson, writes Andrew Keddie.
It also, she claims, highlights the need for an efficient bus service from the stations at Galashiels and Tweedbank to local employment hubs such as the Riverside area of Selkirk.
In her role as Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for economic development, Ms Davidson was in Galashiels on Wednesday when Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson cut the first sod on a section of the old line at Wheatlands.
In so doing, he triggered a clause in the Waverley railway’s Scotland Act which locks the Scottish Government into delivering the whole of the line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.
Around 45million of public money has already been spent acquiring land, strengthening bridges and paying consultants. But it is the 5million worth of ancillary work announced by Mr Stevenson, mainly providing utility infrastructure along the 35-mile route, which triggers the legislation.
The construction contract will be put out to tender later this year, work is due to begin in November 2011 and completion is set for 2014.
“This is a very welcome and exciting step forward into the construction phase and it’s reassuring to hear that there is strong interest being expressed by consortia looking to take on the design, build and maintenance of the line,” said Ms Davidson.
“The anticipated arrival of the train in Tweedbank clearly strengthens the case for the Selkirk bypass and highlights the need for the development of an efficient bus service from the stations to Selkirk.
“Linking the Borders to the rest of the rail network will boost visitor numbers in the central borders and, especially with the 10million upgrade of Abbotsford, also scheduled for completion in 2014, we should see an increase in day-trip spend.
“There is already discussion going on to make sure the links between Abbotsford and Selkirk are strengthened. I’m sure local businesses will also be looking ahead at ways they could market themselves more to benefit from the potential increase in visitors.”
The councillor went on: “More efficient links to the capital and the airport, coupled to lower overheads here, will clearly swing the balance more in our favour in attracting people to relocate their businesses in the central Borders which, again, augurs well for Selkirk.”
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
