Costing more than £300 million, the new 30-mile Borders Railway is in many ways symbolic of
true grass roots economic development planning.
In any news release, public funding-speak might glibly demand it be described as a "catalyst" to stimulating enterprise and social interaction. In another scenario that might prove too upbeat, yet applied in this context it has solid resonance for new jobs, better community connectivity and an enticement to fresh business investment propositions. Transport infrastructure schemes elsewhere offer proof to the concept and an opening by The Queen on September 9 lends regal gravitas.
As that day nears, there is an overwhelmingly positive reception. Co-proprietors of the Tontine Hotel in Peebles – Kate and Gordon Innes – are among local supporters.
"The Borders Railway is absolutely worth the effort," Kate enthuses. "A greater number of tourists in the Scottish Borders region, staying longer and spending more money, will have a positive impact on many other local businesses – garages, retail, restaurants."
Gordon points to a "dramatically increased visibility". He contends: "UK ‘staycations’ are up. Between January and June, domestic visits – which account for 84 per cent of all trips to Scotland – were up six per cent to 5.9 million, with Scotland outperforming the rest of Britain.
Businesswoman Marion Chrystie, director of the eponymous Chrysties Furnishing Centre in Hawick, is another in the private sector whose views are based on a clear perception of overall commercial and social benefit.
"At the moment in the Borders it is difficult to attract professional people to come and work here. With better commuting times, it enables people to relocate."
Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council (SBC), is happy to underline that it will be " a very important part of efforts to improve the Borders economy".
He adds: "Working with the Scottish Government, SBC is taking forward a railway ‘Blueprint’, designed to derive the maximum economic benefit.
"Government agencies, such as Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, are playing a key role. Soon a website will launch showing vacant commercial land and industrial opportunities on the Borders Railway corridor.The railway will not solve all of the problems of the Borders region, but it will provide an important opportunity to do more to stimulate the central Borders economy."
Dominic Booth, Abellio UK Managing Director, believes the opening of the railway will be a milestone but recognises hard work lies ahead. He says: "This will be more than just a rail line. It has become a symbol of the renaissance of our railways in Scotland and being associated with this new development was one of the reasons why we bid for the ScotRail franchise.
"Borderers have not had access to rail service for 46 years and it will take hard work to encourage people to alter their travel mode."
With a greener future in mind, Abellio has developed a Bike & Go Scheme, with cycle shelters at
each station.
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