A loud call to extend the Borders Railway north from Carlisle through Hawick was made at the AGM at the Campaign for Borders Rail.
The campaign group held the AGM in Carlisle for the first time in its 22-year history and was joined by Carlisle MP John Stevenson, railway engineer and lecturer Gareth Dennis; and campaign patron and TV presenter Rob Bell at Tullie House.
In her address to the AGM, newly-elected chair Marion Short said: “I live in the heart of what might be called the extension area, and have the interests of all the communities at heart. I want to dispel negative comment. I am a glass half full person.
“Believe me, when we get this line to Carlisle opened, I intend to be on that train. The professionalism of the campaign means we are taken seriously by Governments in both Holyrood and Westminster. This committee never loses sight of our ultimate aim: onwards to Carlisle.”
Mr Stevenson was questioned vigorously over funding and starting the feasibility study – which he defended as a necessary part of the process, which would give a solid case upon which to build the case for extension and completion of the Borders Railway.
Mr Dennis followed that up with an entertaining examination of how the Borders Railway might be completed.
Mr Bell rounded off the afternoon with a rousing call to action for all campaigners. “Engineers have always overcome challenges to build something not just spectacular, but spectacularly useful,” he said.
