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New Borders Railway Guide Launched

Posted: 23rd November 2015

The new Borders Railway Community Partnership has launched a unique Visitor Guide across the route to further boost its soaraway success and impressive passenger numbers since the line’s historic reopening in September.

At its first public meeting since being established, the Community Rail Partnership (BRCP) unveiled a Borders Railway Guide which celebrates the restoration of a rail link to Edinburgh after an absence of almost 50 years – and encourages even more community groups in the region to embrace the line.

The guide has been produced by Locus Focus, a Borders-based company, and is packed with information about the Borders Railway heritage route. It also includes information about the seven new stations, with full colour maps, where trains run as frequently as every half hour between Edinburgh and Tweedbank.

The guide also gives a history of the railway, illustrated by the stories of the people and places connected to the line – “Lives on the Line”.

The publication – seamlessly integrating information in both paper and digital formats – provides handy sized guides and fold-out map as well as a unique code to unlock the accompanying App for a smartphone or tablet releasing a wealth of extra information and multi-media.

Aidan Grisewood, Director of Rail at Transport Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see so many people take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful attractions and experiences the Borders has to offer. The historic reopening of the Borders Railway has clearly captured people’s interest with over 125,000 passenger journeys in the first month alone.

“The railway is also breathing new life into the Midlothian and the Scottish Borders region as a whole, with tourism businesses having reported significant growth since the opening. I am delighted to see the Community Rail Partnership making such a positive contribution to sustaining this success with this guide and future initiatives.”

At the launch in the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange, David Lister, ScotRail’s Director of Safety, Sustainability and Assurance, welcomed the creation of the BRCP, designed to form a bridge between the railway and local communities and to work with community groups, businesses and organisations in the area to encourage more locals and visitors to use trains.

He said: “The recent opening of the Borders Railway was a proud moment for the people in the Borders and for all those people who campaigned for years.

“Our vision of Connecting Scotland, growing the railway, and growing the economy is embodied in the new line which reconnects communities in the Scottish Borders with Edinburgh and Midlothian for the first time in over four decades.

“Credit needs to go to the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and Network Rail for funding the project and making it happen.

“We look forward to continuing to work with communities across the Borders line to encourage even more people to use the train.”

Financially supported by the train operator ScotRail, the not for profit BRCP has more than 60 volunteer members representing a wide range of interests across the line which was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in September.

Carol Byers, chair of the BRCP, said:  “The BRCP consists of around 60 volunteers, from all regions along the Waverley route, who are keen to be involved with the development of this new rail service.   We will have a strong focus on easy accessibility, environmental care and protection, as well as bringing communities together to enhance business and tourism opportunities for all. We welcome ideas and suggestions.”

She added the partnership has created a new website to connect with the public, available online at www.bordersrailwayforyou.co.uk

Organisations with projects that they feel would enhance the railway’s benefit to the community, can make an approach to the CRP via the website or email info@bordersrailwayforyou.co.uk

 

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