Borders to Edinburgh railway: Carlisle extension would be 'wonderful'
A council leader has said extending the soon to be reopened Borders railway to Carlisle would be "wonderful news".
The Edinburgh to Tweedbank line is due to come into operation next year.
Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker said its
eventual extension would be a boost for the local economy and the
country as a whole.
He was speaking after First Minister Alex Salmond was in
Carlisle where he discussed cross-border relations if Scotland votes for
independence.
Mr Parker said he believed the case for another
Scotland-England rail link in addition to the East Coast and West Coast
lines was compelling.
"A third strategic route up from Carlisle to Edinburgh via the Borders would be a wonderful piece of news," he said.
"It would be good news for the local economy but it would
also be very good news for the country in relation to moving passengers
and moving freight.
"There are many railway experts down south who have been calling for this strategic route to be opened for quite some time now."
SEE ALSO THE LATEST ON THE FOCUS FEATURES SITE
This feature on a new service along the North Norfolk coast can now be viewed here
SEE ALSO THE LATEST ON THE FOCUS FEATURES SITE
This feature on a new service along the North Norfolk coast can now be viewed here