The UK Government has set aside up to £5m to allow a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway.
The funding will be matched by the Scottish Government and will allow the appointment of a project manager to assess the pros and cons of extending the line, which currently runs from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, through to Carlisle.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news.
He said: “Extending the railway would be a huge boost to the local economy and would connect communities in the South of Scotland. That’s why I believe the route should run through Langholm, linking one of the key populations to the rail line.
“The Borders Railway has been a huge success and there is a powerful case for an extension to Carlisle, which I hope will come out in this new study.
“The campaign to extend the railway is long running and has been a genuine grassroots campaign which has united communities not just in the Borders but beyond.
“The economic benefits of the Borders Railway cannot be underestimated and therefore it is vitally important that Langholm is included in the route. It is not just the town itself that would profit, the surrounding communities would also gain a vital advantage.
“Including a stop in Langholm would bring significant benefits to the Eskdale community and a local economy which has suffered a number of economic shocks in recent years.”
