FOLLOWING another week of misery for commuters on the Borders Railway, MP John Lamont has invited the managing director of Scotrail, Alex Hynes, to a public meeting in Galashiels next month.

Disruption on the Tweedbank to Edinburgh line has been an ongoing issue, with reports of overcrowding, cancellations and late trains now an almost daily occurrence.

After receiving a huge number of complaints from constituents, a public meeting is now being arranged in April to give commuters the opportunity to grill Scotrail over their recent failures.

Mr Lamont, who is currently awaiting a response from ScotRail to this invitation, said: “Cancellations and overcrowding on the Borders Railway has now become such a problem that people are being put off using the train and are returning to their cars.

“As well as the disruption that is being caused to people’s lives I am also concerned these issues are undermining the case to have the line extended to Hawick and Newcastleton.

“I am far from convinced that Scotrail, or the Scottish Government for that matter, understand the level of frustration commuters are feeling in the Borders.

“The line appears to be an afterthought with the Borders route being understaffed and stock being pulled from the Borders to make sure the central belt is getting a good service.

“I have no doubt that local people will make their feelings clear next month.”
Details of the date and venue will be published as soon as they are confirmed.