The Anonymous Widower

Boosting The Cross-Border Economy

The title of this post, is the same as this article on the BBC. It starts like this.

If they wanted a name-check in the budget, then they got it.

But there was little more detail – for the time being at least – about the growth deal for the Borderlands.

The chancellor announced the UK government would “begin negotiations” on it and work with local partners and the Scottish government.

I feel very strongly, that boosting this Borderlands could be of real value to both countries and obviously this is behind the Government’s thinking.

The article attempts to answer the questions it poses and proposes various transport upgrades.

I would do the following to the railways.

• Complete the Borders Railway to Carlisle.
• Create a rail link from Carlisle to Belfast with a bridge between Stanraer and Larne.
• Improve the Carlisle to Newcastle rail line.
• Electrify the Glasgow to Carlisle rail line via Dumfries.
• Improve operating speeds on both the West and East Coast Main Lines.

The BBC also suggests some roads for improvement.

This is an area to watch.

November 27, 2017 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel, World | Borderlands, Development, Scotland And Northern Ireland Fixed Link