A CAMPAIGN group set up to reinstate a railway line between Carlisle and the Scottish Borders has been told plans to bring it to fruition are “absolutely rock solid”.

During an AGM meeting held in Edinburgh earlier this week, members from the Campaign for Borders Rail were told that completing the line between Tweedbank and Cumbria is a reality that is “moving closer every day”.

The enthusiastic message came from Scottish politician Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweedale and Lauderdale, who has been an enthusiastic supporter of the campaign throughout its 20-year existence.

The prospect of rebuilding the southern section of the line, joining up with the existing Borders Railway from Edinburgh, would make a through route in the Scottish Borders a reality for the first time in 50 years.

The line between Carlisle and Edinburgh via the Borders was closed in 1969.

Since the campaign sprung into action in 1999, politicians in Scotland and England have voiced their support for the route to be reinstated.

Last year, Labour leader

Jeremy Corbyn gave his backing to the campaign, adding

it was a “catastrophic mistake” to close the Waverley Line.

Mr Corbyn added the reopening could ‘become a major spur for economic investment and development across the whole region’.

Simon Walton, who was recently re-elected as chairman of the campaign, said he shared the commitment of politicians.

He also urged campaigners to “raise their game” as the campaign sought to ensure that the promise of £10m for a feasibility study - made jointly by Holyrood and Westminster governments in September - remains top of the agenda, and delivers a positive recommendation.

He said: “I have always regarded the existing Borders Railway as phase one of

our ambition for the Borders. Getting commitment to build the remainder has to be our next goal, and we’re moving closer to that every day,” he said.

“The political climate has moved significantly in favour of environmentally sustainable economic development.

“That means railway projects like the completion of the Borders Railway make even more sense as a means of rejuvenating communities at the same time as greening the environment.”

Reacting to the news, Rachel Tyson, head of marketing and partnerships at Cumbria Tourism, said: “The tourist board welcomes the positive news regarding the rail extension.

“Sustainable travel to and across Cumbria is a key priority and a route from Scotland to Carlisle would open up rail travel options to the Scottish market, not only to the Border City but also to the rest of the county, particularly the western coast.”