Scotland & beyond…
The Borders Railway is one of the most strategic transport projects of the last 45 years. The below diagram shows Scotland's cities and connected corridors and the new connection to the Scottish Borders. The new line is life changing for everyone - on a local, national and international level. The scale of ambition around this project demonstrates passion, confidence and investment in Scotland as a great place.
Air
The Borders Railway brings Midlothian and the Scottish Borders closer to a global market. Edinburgh Airport is now even easier to access via the tram and train interchange at Edinburgh Gateway station, with 25 minute average journey times from Edinburgh Waverley.
The airport offers connections to national, European and global markets, ranging from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, reaching markets in Germany, USA, Middle East and much more.
Rail
The Borders Railway has greatly reduced journey times between the heart of Edinburgh and Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, with connection at Edinburgh Waverley to the services below.
|
Location |
Approx journey time from Edinburgh |
|
Glasgow |
1hr |
|
Newcastle |
1hr 30m |
|
York |
2hr 30m |
|
London |
4hr 30m |
|
Dundee |
1hr 20m |
|
Aberdeen |
2hr 20m |
|
Inverness |
3hr 45m |
|
Perth |
1hr 30m |
|
Fife |
20m – 1hr |
Timetable and fare information is available from ScotRail.
Road
The railway corridor area in south-east Edinburgh and Midlothian is situated close to the Edinburgh City Bypass (A720), which connects to the M8 and A1 allowing for links to Glasgow, the north, and England.
Further south, the corridor area in the Scottish Borders is served by the A68 and A7 allowing for road links to Edinburgh and the north and also Carlisle, Newcastle upon Tyne, and the south.
Future Connections
The Scottish Government is investigating the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank through to Carlisle, which would provide direct access from Edinburgh through the heartlands of the Borders textile industry, to Cumbria and north east of England, as well as connection with the East Coast rail network.
The results of these preliminary investigations are expected by the end of 2017.
Digital Connectivity
Next generation broadband has been rolled out in Galashiels, Tweedbank and Melrose and is being rolled out across the rest of the central Borders as part of a programme ending in 2017.
98.1% of Midlothian and 93.6% of the Scottish Borders will be covered by next generation broadband by the end of 2017.
Fibre optic connections are already available throughout Edinburgh.
Fibre optic high-speed broadband and improvements are being introduced along the railway route through Digital Scotland.
Full details can be found on the Digital Scotland website, including an interactive map showing the status of high-speed broadband at specific exchanges.