Scottish Borders Council said that a business case for the potential extension of the Borders Railway beyond Tweedbank to Hawick and Carlisle “will be progressed” following the appointment of Turner & Townsend as project managers.

“The key appointment will allow several pieces of work to be carried out on the project to assess the benefits and challenges of the railway line’s extension including feasibility work and analysis of the economic impact it would bring to the Borderlands area,” said the council.

“This has been made possible through funding of up to £10million from the UK and Scottish Governments, through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, designed to drive inclusive growth and delivering significant and lasting benefits through regeneration.

“The development of the business case for the Borders Railway is a key project within the Borderlands Deal which recognises the potential of such a link to support economic growth.

“Following the success of the re-instatement of the Borders Railway to Tweedbank, an extension could improve transport links to towns such as Hawick, which continue to face the effects of recent economic downturns, as well as offering improved connectivity for tourists, commuters and residents alike.

“Extending the railway through the heart of the Borderlands could also provide more environmentally friendly transport connections for the places and towns along the route.”