Turner & Townsend, the global professional services company, has been appointed by Scottish Borders Council to lead the business case and feasibility work for a proposed extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle.
The appointment follows the successful completion of the initial Borders Railway project to Tweedbank, which Turner & Townsend also worked on. The company will provide comprehensive project management services to assess the benefits and challenges of the extension, including feasibility studies and an economic impact analysis for the Borderlands area. The work is supported by up to £10 million in funding from the UK and Scottish Governments through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Steve Jackson, Director, Infrastructure, UK at Turner & Townsend, said: “Our involvement in the successful completion of the initial railway project to Tweedbank, coupled with our strong relationship with Scottish Borders Council, has laid a solid foundation for this next phase. Working on this project further reinforces our continued commitment to developing sustainable transport solutions and we look forward to driving this project forward, making a positive impact on the region.”
The extension is expected to bring significant benefits to the local community and wider region by supporting economic growth, boosting tourism, and improving connectivity for residents. The initial contract is for two years, subject to successful progress through the project’s gateways.