Borders railway is key to good transport

Irrespective of what has to be done to meet the problems of the latter, cancellation of the former will not contribute to any solution and, in so far as it affects the economic wellbeing of the Scottish Borders, will be positively harmful.

When the old line was closed in 1969, widespread opposition to the chicanery that brought this about was never matched by contrary opinion that the region would embark on a golden era now that it was freed from the chains of its rail network.

Mr Monteith argues his own case from the comfortable standpoint of a car owner who, it seems, is relaxed about the continually rising cost of its use. He has nothing to say for the nearly 40 per cent of households in towns like Galashiels and Hawick that do not own a car. He is misleading on the subject of integration of public transport. He is correct in observing that the Galashiels station will not have car parking within a few tens of yards – this is because it will be located in the town centre and right next door to the bus station.

However, two miles away the large park-and-ride at Tweedbank will appeal to sensible motorists from places further south.

Moreover, if I was a non-car driver from Melrose (141 minutes to Edinburgh by bus) or Jedburgh (112 minutes) or Hawick (119 minutes) the substitution of part of my journey in a cramped and noisy bus to 50 minutes (Galashiels to Waverley) on a modern multiple unit would be welcome.

It seems Mr Monteith belongs to that vocal group who never use local public transport themselves and have little conception of the Third-World conditions that are presently offered; we would be glad to be corrected on this point.

DR RICHARD CROCKETT

Chair, Campaign for Borders Rail

Ladhope Drive

Galashiels