PLANNED cuts to ScotRail services are “really negative” for Galashiels, a meeting has heard.

The May 2022 timetable will only operate half-hourly services between Edinburgh and Tweedbank during peak hours, with one train per hour for the rest of the day.

On Saturdays, the timetable will operate half-hourly services throughout the day.

Meanwhile, through services between Tweedbank, South Gyle and Glenrothes with Thornton will all terminate or start at Edinburgh Waverley.

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“I think this is really negative, especially with the tapestry coming,” chairwoman Judith Cleghorn told Galashiels Community Council.

Alexa Seagrave added: “Everyone I know that relies on the trains is desperate for them to go back to half-hourly service. We need it to have people coming into Gala. It’s just going to push more people away from public transport and back into cars if it’s not a service you can use all the time.”

The rail operator published its ‘Fit for the Future’ document outlining plans to cut 300 rail services per day across the country.

The community council agreed to write to ScotRail to oppose the cuts, while there were also calls to contact MSP Christine Grahame.

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On the planned cuts, the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale representative, of the SNP, said: “I’m aware of concerns about the proposals and I’d strongly encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so ScotRail have a true reflection of public opinion on this.

"The Borders Railway has far outstripped passenger number predictions and became a real asset to the area, it’s vital that it remains fit for purpose whilst of course taking into account changes to passenger behaviour following the pandemic. Timetables evolve and this should be a baseline from which ScotRail can build and align the services with the needs of the travelling public.

“The Scottish Government has already committed to nationalising ScotRail when the current franchise ends next year to ensure vital services, like the Borders Railway, remain viable, useable and reliable.”

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A ScotRail spokesperson said: “Our analysis shows prior to the pandemic, on a number of routes across the country, significantly more seats were being provided than were required for the number of passengers travelling.

“Returning to a pre-pandemic timetable would result in trains operating 26 million more vehicle miles each year for little customer benefit.

“As well as increased emissions, that would increase ScotRail costs to the taxpayer by £30million to £40million each year.”

A consultation is open until October 1, 2021 to seek opinions on the proposed timetables.