en.Wedoany.com Reported - WSP has been commissioned by Scottish Borders Council to provide professional advice on the first stage of the business case for extending the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle. This appointment marks an important step in advancing the railway extension case, aiming to assess the potential benefits of improving transport links between southern Scotland and northern England.

The first work package includes a transport assessment that will help develop a shortlist of preferred corridor options and related feasibility work. The second package will produce a growth prospectus, examining other economic opportunities in the region to build the strongest possible case. These efforts serve the first stage of the business case process—the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC)—which is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete and is jointly funded by the UK Government and the Scottish Government through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, Executive Member for Economic Development and Borderlands at Scottish Borders Council, said that WSP's support will help ensure the SOBC is comprehensive, evidence-driven, and focused on the long-term benefits for communities and economic growth across the region. Jake Cartmell, WSP Project Director, added that the team will provide reliable, evidence-based advice, with a focus on transport, environmental, and economic factors, to assess how improved connectivity can support communities, businesses, and sustainable growth in the Borders region.