There has been real progress in the campaign from the local Scottish Conservative MSP, MP and council group to deliver an extension to the Borders Railway.
It has been confirmed by Scottish Borders Council that the UK and Scottish governments will provide matching funds of £5 million each for a feasibility study on the extension of the route to Hawick, Newcastleton and onto Carlisle.
A project manager will also be appointed to assess the benefits and challenges of extending the line beyond Tweedbank.
I have been pushing for the Labour government to agree to progress the Borders Railway extension, most recently in a speech to the House of Commons on 8 January.
I led a debate in the UK Parliament on transport links between Scotland and the UK, during which I raised the importance of the railway extension to Hawick, Newcastleton and onto Carlisle.
This is wonderful news for local communities, commuters and businesses.
We have pushed Labour to stick with previous Conservative plans to go ahead with the feasibility study and it is fantastic that they have finally agreed.
The Scottish Conservatives will continue to make the positive case for the Borders Railway extension and we will work constructively with both the UK and Scottish governments to deliver it.
