Scotland needs a new main line connection to England, says Mark Smith

All over Scotland, wherever you go, there they are: the remnants of what used to be, the ghost lines through forest, glen and moor. You can trace them, and follow them across the country if you like, using all the old names. Largo, Elie and Stravithie. Philorth, Brucklay and Rathen. Murtle, Drum and Glassel. All gone now of course, the lines wiped out, and we know who to blame (Dr Beeching sir, we’re still bitter).

Bits of them have come back. I was on the new route from Edinburgh to Leven last year with John Swinney no less to mark the reopening of six miles of the old Fife line that was closed in 1969, the route that used to include Largo, Elie and Stravithie and went all the way to St Andrews. It was clear Mr Swinney understands the way that railways can provide economic and social opportunities, and enable more investment and opportunities to access work, education, and a good time as well. It is the railway’s secret power.

But the progress on reinstating the lines, on undoing the damage Beeching did, is slow and nowhere slower than on the old Waverley line that ran from Edinburgh through Midlothian and the Borders to Carlisle. A 35-mile stretch of the line to Tweedbank was reopened exactly 10 years ago this week but it was a long, hard fight. At one point, there was widespread opposition in the Borders because of the cost (and what some saw as the risk of over-development). A new political party was even formed specifically to fight it.

But it happened I’m pleased to say and last week I took a trip to Tweedbank and spoke to folk........

© Herald Scotland