Re-opening Beattock Railway Station must remain on the agenda, despite the Scottish Government’s “inaction”, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

The local MSP attended Beattock Station Action Group’s AGM last week and praised the group for continuing to fight for the station’s re-opening.

In February this year, the group was dealt a bitter blow after Beattock was missed out entirely in the long awaited Strategic Transport Projects Review 2. The project now needs to join a “pipeline” of possible local projects to have any chance of success.

Colin Smyth said: “Considerable sums and efforts were expended to develop a strong case for the reopening of the railway station in Beattock.

“These cases were submitted to Transport Scotland three years ago, but it refused to consider them.

“It said that the projects would be a matter for STPR2 and it was astonishing that new railway stations did not feature in the recommendations.

“However, the group continue to work tirelessly to move forward and it was great to attend the AGM last week and hear more about their plans for the future, despite the Scottish Government’s inaction.

“It’s a testimony to the group’s determination that despite the recent set back, they are focused, with the support of local Transport Agency, on getting the detailed business case drawn up to keep making the case for re-opening. It won’t be easy with so many similar projects across Scotland but the group have my full support and I will continue to champion the re-opening of the station in the Scottish Parliament.”