Feb 18 2010
The Waverley railway line to be reopened
The Borders railway link bill,which was passed recently will ensure the reopening of the Borders rail line that ran between Edinburgh and Tweedbank near Galashiels , which was closed way back in 1969. The total project cost is expected to be over £295m and the project will take off in 2011 and is expected to be completed in 2014. The MSPs approved the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill by 114 votes to one, with one abstention.
The new rail line that extends from Newcraighall in Edinburgh to Tweedbank. will have stations at Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, and Galashiels. The railway line will not only improve the accessibility with the border towns but will also improve tourism prospects by way of chartered train trips, which will be of economic benefit as well. Nonethless, claims that the reopened rail line would rake up £500,000 annually by way of tourism revenue have received a mixed public response.
The train service would make it easier for people based in Stirling or Glasgow to visit the region and will take off hundreds of cars from the Edinburgh roads, considerably reducing the emissions. Apart from the green reasons, this railway project will be a boon to the border residents to travel to Edinburgh and other cities, which at present is connected only by day time coach trips, which is time consuming and strenuous.
The old timers who share a nostalgic memory of the romantic Waverley Line is excited at the thought that these are being brought back to life. Many feel that an orient express theme would be a good idea to go back in time and space to the era of Sir Walter Scott!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.