 Campaigners have stuck to their cause for years |
Campaigners have held a rally calling for a Borders rail link which was closed in 1969 to be reopened. The event marked the 36th anniversary of the line closure, which ran from Edinburgh through the Borders and on to Carlisle.
Anne Borthwick, of Campaign for Borders Rail, said reopening the Waverley Line would restore the area's prosperity.
MSPs are considering the reintroduction of passenger rail services through Midlothian to the Borders.
Campaigners have said that reopening the Waverley Line, which could cost up to �100m, would be a huge economic boost for the Borders.
In 2000, Borders Council said the area's economy had suffered since the closure.
Ms Borthwick said the lobby group was determined to keep the pressure on the Scottish Executive.
"Campaign for Borders Rail is the biggest independent lobby group in Scotland and we have been lobbying tirelessly for the reinstatement of rail services to the Borders and eventually to Carlisle," she said.
"We believe that it is time for the Scottish Executive to commit to the first phase of the project by pledging to fund the line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the first instance and then investigate extending the line in the future.
Borders character
"We want to remind the Scottish Executive that we're here, that we need a financial commitment to the railway.
"We want to be part of the new Scotland, we are part of it and we want to be connected to our capital city easily, safely and quickly and nothing else will do.
Ms Borthwick said reopening the line would be a prosperous move and protect the character of the Scottish Borders.
 The rally marked the 36th anniversary of the line closure |
A study in 2000, which was commissioned by the executive, Scottish Borders Council, Midlothian Council and Scottish Borders Enterprise, found that a half-hourly service from Tweedbank to Edinburgh could cover its operating costs.
It also found that a half-hourly service from Gorebridge to Edinburgh could cover operating costs and that a freight railway joining the West Coast Main Line at Longtown could also be reinstated.
Scottish Borders Councillor Gordon Edgar said: "I'm very hopeful that we will get positive support from the executive which will allow us to move forward."
On the march was veteran campaigner Madge Elliot, who took a petition to Downing Street when the line closed.
She said: "For 36 years it's gone on and on and on, we've been determined to get this railway back on track."
Thursday's rally included cross-party support from the Scottish National Party, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
BBC Scotland transport correspondent Louise Batchelor said: "I've no doubt that Transport Minister Nicol Stephen wants this to happen but the Scottish Executive have to be convinced of the business case.
"Scottish Borders Council, who are promoting the scheme, insist that the case is robust but they have been asked to go back and look at it again."
She said the arguments for the wider social benefits and the regeneration of the Borders should make the difference.
The committee which is scrutinising the proposed Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill will have its first meeting in February.
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We want to be connected to our capital city easily, safely and quickly and nothing else will do 
