Why are Network Rail not doing this job?
I believe it's down to seeing if the private sector can do it. I disagree with this and believe that NR should be building the line. This is what they do and it works. Why fix something that isn't broken?
That said, I don't think the line will be axed. There's still one bidder left and that's all that's required. However,, if worst comes to worst, is there anything stopping the Scottish Government handing the project over to Network Rail?
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The Scottish borders must be one of the largest areas of Britain, along with Central Wales, not to have a railway passing through it.
The East Coast Main Line would like to slap your face, but unfortunately it doesn't have any arms.
I think the line will be a success. I don't agree much with the whole "Well it won't do any good for people living in Peebles!!!!" idea. Did the Larkhall line do any good for those living in Coalburn? Probably not, but it did good for those living in and around Larkhall. The Borders line will do the same for the areas it serves. Galashiels is a good stamping ground for the new-old line and with a decent rail connection bus service, will serve a good number of people despite it not being quite on their doorstep. For this reason, the line opens up the borders which was cut-off significantly when the Waverley Line was closed.
The railway doesn't just open the borders to commuter to/from Edinburgh, but opens it to the tourist industry. It allows people from other rail-served areas to go to Edinburgh and onto the scenic Borders with little hassle on a regular, fast, comfortable train rather than a hassle-ridden, noisy, taking-the-long-way-round bus which probably finds a long way around a circle.
I will point out though that I think not going onto Hawick is a mistake. There's a town that needs a railway again.