The extension of the Borders Railway to Carlisle has been hailed as “hugely significant” to economic growth in England and Scotland.

Carlisle MP and Borderlands champion John Stevenson made the claim during a “question time” panel at the Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) AGM meeting, which aims to bring the Edinburgh to Tweedbank line south through Hawick, Newcastleton and Longtown to Carlisle.

The panel featured the leader of Scottish Borders Council Shona Haslam, Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont, and south of Scotland MSP Paul Wheelhouse.

Also taking questions from the crowd were the former chair of the Friends of the Carlisle and Settle line Richard Morris, and academic Brian Eaton, who has extensive experience of the value of rail development around the world.

At the meeting, which took place at Hawick High School in the Scottish Borders on Saturday, Mr Stevenson, along with the other panelists, fielded a number of questions from both campaign members, and the public from both sides of the Border.

Speaking after the event, Mr Stevenson said: “It was interesting to see the Scottish side of the argument at the meeting.

“The Campaign for Borders Rail to extend the line from Tweedbank, through Hawick, to Carlisle is seen as hugely important to those living in the Borders.”

Among the questions faced by members and the public, John was quizzed on the role of Carlisle in the campaign to bring the line south.

He added: “I received questions about the role of the city in this process, and it was interesting to see that Carlisle is widely regarded as a key destination for Borderers.

“Those travelling to the area by train would be able to connect to other areas across Cumbria, and Scottish towns such as Dumfries.

“This extension has the ability to be hugely significant to both economies in England and Scotland, which could bring the benefits of jobs along the line, and help to stop people moving away from the area for work.

“The railway would be great for commuters to travel northwards to Edinburgh and down south to Carlisle.

“An added bonus of the line is that it would reduce the number of cars on the roads, and would make it easier for freight, with wood being transported from the Kielder Forest for example.”

The MP also went on to explain the other benefits the line would bring in the future, with the newly built Carlisle Airport as one example.

“People could also use the Borders Railway to travel south to Carlisle, and catch a flight from the airport,” he said.

The ‘question time’ style AGM, hosted by CBR chairman Simon Walton, was praised as a “real endorsement of the campaign’s hard work”.

Mr Walton said: “We invited panelists from all facets of political and civic life to join us at our nineteenth annual general meeting, and they were able to demonstrate that whatever ideological differences they may have, they were in no conflict over the benefits of being part of the national rail network.”

The meeting also heard that the Scottish Government had decided to take forward two rail-based proposals from the recent Borders Transport Corridors Study.

The first proposal identified Tweedbank to Carlisle as an option for examination, the second would look in more detail at a possible link from the Borders to the East Coast Main Line, which travels from Edinburgh to London.

During the meeting, Mr Stevenson also reiterated his support for the funding of a full feasibility study.

Mr Walton added: “Having the stated support of the new cross-border agency is a vital step forward.

“The campaign and its members must take credit for pushing that agenda forward.

“John Stevenson did all but pull out the agency’s cheque book, and Paul Wheelhouse reminded us that, while the current agenda puts extension down the road, it’s up to the campaign to be ready to present the case for the Borders Railway extension.”

For more information about the campaign visit www.campaignforbordersrail.org.