BORDERS MP John Lamont has urged bank services body LINK to introduce more cash points at locations across the Scottish Borders.

The MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk met with LINK, the national cash machine network, following the announcement that four Bank of Scotland branches will close across the Borders in the next year.

After the meeting, Mr Lamont said he was pleased that LINK had agreed to bring in a Banking Hub in Jedburgh but that extra services were needed in Duns, Eyemouth and Newcastleton.

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He has now written to LINK to outline why he believes the extra services are necessary to meet the needs of local residents.

He said: “I welcome that a Banking Hub has been recommended in Jedburgh, which I am confident will serve the community well. 

“However, I remain concerned about access to banking services elsewhere in the Borders, including Newcastleton and Berwickshire.

“These communities must also receive a Banking Hub. Local people need easy access to cash services.

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“Following the Bank of Scotland closures, these areas will be left without banking services unless LINK steps in.

“I urge LINK to reconsider their recommendation of no additional services in Berwickshire and Newcastleton to ensure Borderers can access vital banking services once the existing services close.”

Nick Quin, Head of Financial Inclusion, LINK: “LINK assesses every community which loses its last bank branch, and applies criteria to assess whether replacement cash access services are needed. We’re delighted to have recommended a new bank hub in Jedburgh, which we’re confident will become a key part of the High Street there.

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“We will apply the same criteria to any town across Scotland where the last branch closes, or where the community ask us to, and remain committed to protecting access to cash for the 5 million people who rely on it.” 

The text of the letter is as follows:

"Thank you for meeting with me to hear my concerns about access to banking services in the Scottish Borders. I welcome that a Banking Hub has been recommended in Jedburgh, which I am confident will serve the community well. 

"However, I remain concerned about access to banking services elsewhere in the Borders, including Newcastleton and Berwickshire, where LINK have recommended no additional services.

"These communities surely must also receive a Banking Hub. They deserve to be reassessed, with the wider communities these towns serve taken fully into account. 

"Berwickshire has a population of almost 21,000. Following the announcement of Bank of Scotland closures in Duns and Eyemouth, from October 2023, this entire county will be without banking services. 

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"Newcastleton is rurally situated with a population of over 750 and is the hub for the wider Teviothead and Hermitage areas, which includes an additional 900 residents. Following the announced closures, Newcastleton residents will be required to travel 34km to Hawick, or outside the Scottish Borders, to access vital banking services. 

"I urge LINK to reconsider their recommendation of no additional services in Berwickshire and Newcastleton to ensure Borderers can access vital banking services once the existing services close. "