Multi-million pound Borderlands goals agreed
A major landmark has been reached in the progress of a multi-million pound investment scheme for southern Scotland and northern England.
Five cross-border councils and the Scottish and UK governments have signed heads of terms - an outline business case - for the Borderlands growth deal. The two governments have confirmed funding of up to £350m. The signing of the latest agreement is seen as a significant step towards unlocking that support for the area. It is covered by Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Northumberland, Cumbria and Carlisle City councils. They have agreed to top up the deal with up to £45m between them. Representatives of the local authorities signed the heads of terms along with Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell. It spells out some of the key aims for the investment package which it is hoped can deliver about 5,500 jobs. They include a study to look at extending the Borders Railway beyond Tweedbank to Carlisle. It also involves other specific place-based projects such as: A range of wider themes have also been identified for investment including digital connectivity, energy and transport. Borderlands' heads of terms: what else is in there? The latest agreement defines the "broad activities" the two governments hope to support but does not form a legally binding contract. Among the other projects it contains are a £5m play village at Alnwick Garden, the Star of Caledonia landmark sculpture at Gretna and a dairy innovation centre in Dumfries and Galloway. Stranraer marina, the River Tweed walking and cycling route and Seven Stanes mountain bike network could also benefit. The growth deal funding will be delivered over 10 years by the Scottish government and 15 years from the UK government. All the projects are subject to full business cases showing they are "viable, value for money and sustainable". What has the reaction been?