Rail closure builds up Border textile haulage
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• Closure of the Edinburgh-HawickCarlisle rail link which was made on January 6 will result in a number of applications for new services by road transport operators within the area. The dominant textile trade interests at Galashiels, Hawick, Walkerburgh, Peebles and elsewhere will now need to find alternative transport routines to replace their lost rail link and plans are already laid for a number of new routes to cope with this work.
Particular attention will be given to suitable links between the Border woollen and knitwear area, now largely isolated, and the English Midlands where there is a comparable complex of textile industry, supplying the Scottish Borders with raw materials and services. A direct daily link was proposed some two years ago and refused with British Railways as objectors. There is greater need now than ever for such a link, as well as to Edinburgh where a very substantial selling capacity demands fast daily delivery of "specials" as a routine aspect of the trade. Direct links with London were also proposed and although this has been achieved to some extent, still better facilities could be used and are being sought. It is expected that the new situation will take some weeks to settle. Meanwhile BR operates a road service to Edinburgh to handle freight, and other operators are also involved. Main interest will lie in the new applications which are down for hearing at an early date for longdistance links.