Plans for a 21st century railway for South West Scotland

British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is campaigning to re-open the 73 mile rail link between Dumfries and Stranraer.

The proposal, led by Scott Borthwick seeks to boost employment, cut goods traffic on the A75 and re-vitalise the towns and villages isolated by the Beeching Cuts, which closed this and other lines across the UK in 1965.

Railways of Dumfries and Galloway before and after the Beeching Cuts. Source: Dumfries & Galloway Rail Improvement Proposal by Scott Borthwick (https://brtarail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dumfries-and-Galloway-Rail-Improvement-Proposal-published-version.pdf)

In order to gauge how the community might use the new rail service, BRTA are running two surveys, one for members of the public and another for business users. The surveys are open until Monday 26 October 2026 and are also downloadable from the British Regional Transport Association website, along with all the information on the proposal.

The surveys will help inform the feasibility study by South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans) and community meetings will be held along the historic route to hear local opinion.

The campaign is part of a growing interest in measures to tackle the climate crisis, increase sustainable tourism and support just transition in our rural communities and there is understood to be backing for the proposals from SNP and Green MSPs.

Scott Borthwick said:

“As demonstrated in recent projects such as the Levenmouth Rail Link, the Borders Railway and the line to Larkhall, the railway will bring vitality to the area. It will create jobs improve education and provide better links to major cities for shopping and other amenities. This will lead to economic growth in the region.

Other regions are advocating for new rail links, so Dumfries and Galloway should be no different.”

One potential route could include new stations at Crossmichael and New Galloway. Indicative route videos are available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoXzw1gng6uFt4FiywtWk3D6KdNChiWsi

For more information and how to get support the proposal, see the BRTA website: https://brtarail.com/dumfries-to-stranraer/ or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/BRTAScotland/61568192464841/

The survey deadline is Monday, 26th October 2026.