HOPES of extending the Borders Railway are “dead in the water”, according to the council’s transport chief.

The issue was raised at a meeting last week as part of a discussion on the local authority’s response to SEStrans’ (South-East of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership) draft regional transport strategy.

Gordon Edgar – the council’s executive member for infrastructure, travel and transport – told fellow councillors that he believes the government’s pursuit of independence will prevent progress on the initiative.

“I support the extension to the Borders Railway, I think it would be an excellent project to move forward,” said the Selkirkshire councillor. “But while the Scottish Government is set on splitting the country with their independence, I think that project is now dead in the water.”

Extending the line through to Carlisle has been a big topic in the Borders since the route from Edinburgh to Tweedbank opened in 2015.

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And Scottish Borders Council (SBC) leader Mark Rowley – who described Mr Edgar’s remarks as “slightly disappointing” – said the local authority is “110 per cent” committed to “relentlessly” pursuing the project.

“We absolutely have to unite as a council across the chamber, across all parties, across five localities, and we have to put our shoulder to the wheel to push the case for the extension of the Borders Railway through to Carlisle,” said the Conservative Mid Berwickshire councillor.

“The cul-de-sac of a railway to Tweedbank has been a huge success. It is already delivering for the Borders – it’s delivering jobs, it’s delivering economic investment and it’s delivering a better quality of life.

“We have to extend that opportunity through to Hawick and onto Carlisle to connect with the rest of the Borderlands region.

“That is an utter priority for me as leader, that is an utter priority for this administration and it’s a huge priority for the council.

“I will be utterly tireless in making the case to UK ministers, to Scottish ministers and anyone who will listen that it’s the most sensible thing we can do in the south of Scotland in terms of transport infrastructure.”

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A full feasibility study into extending the railway through to Carlisle was included as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, signed last year.

Mr Edgar’s comments come just a week after Tory MP John Lamont described the Scottish Government’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) as an “enormous let down”.

In the Borders, STPR2 recommends that Transport Scotland continues to work closely with the UK Government on cross-border routes.

It also advises a “review of rail freight terminals/ hubs to confirm how to meet long-term mode shift requirements”.

At the SBC meeting, independent Hawick councillor Watson McAteer said STPR2 was “more than disappointing”.

“In honesty it’s a perfect disgrace that an area like Scottish Borders Council could be allocated two recommendations within the body of that report that have very little material value at this time.

“In terms of our hopes and optimism for the future they have been severely dashed and we must make a stand to make sure our voice is heard.

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“This railway extension is vital for us in the Borders and for the STPR to completely ignore, other than to suggest that the feasibility study is taking place, is in my mind an utter disgrace and Borders people should not put up with it.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “STPR2 considers the transport needs of Scotland’s people and communities, and examines active travel, bus, ferry, rail and motorways and trunk roads as well as passenger and freight access to major ports and airports.

“These needs are reviewed from national and regional perspectives to reflect their different geographies, travel patterns and demands. STPR2 provides an overview of transport investment, mainly infrastructure and other behavioural change recommendations, that are required to deliver the National Transport Strategy priorities and objectives of the review.”