Liberal leader David Steel - now Lord Steel - campaigned against the Beeching cuts in 1969, which left the Scottish Borders without a major rail link.

Ahead of the final piece of track of being laid this morning, he was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Listen to it here.

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tweets, external: #A74(M) N/B at J21-Broken down car in the congestion, unsure of lane but please #BeAware in the area. Div route approx 30-60 min travel time

Scottish Borders Council has agreed its budget and ongoing plans for the next financial year.

Image source, Richard Webb

The administration had already outlined draft budget proposals which would see council tax frozen for the eighth successive year.

Borders Railway tweets, external: This morning @KeithBrownMSP secured the last rail using a golden clip #tracklaying

Image source, Borders Railway

Anonymous emails: I absolutely agree with Mr Bennett, but he is fortunate to live within 8 miles of a station on the new line - I live in DUNS which is 25 miles from Tweedbank. Not too bad if you drive a car but bus connection is 1-2 hours!

What a waste of taxpayer's money - the railway is a white elephant which will never ever be profitable - cost so far ? £300 million. Think how many school books and care homes for the elderly this could buy....................

Threave Rovers crashed out of the South of Scotland's Premier Trophy last night in a 1-0 defeat to Newton Stewart.

Image source, Thinkstock

It was the fourth attempt to play the second round Southern Counties Cup tie which was called off twice at Blairmount Park and then last Wednesday at Meadow Park, all because of weather conditions.

The vital goal came from Calum Dunn who has just signed for Newton.

The South of Scotland side will now play Wigtown in the third round on 21 February.

Mrs M Brown emails: What a fantastic achievement worth every penny, and what a time scale, fantastic!!.

We need you here for the route between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen in Wales, they have been talking about it and now it is gaining momentum, the drive is horrendous on a small winding road and can take well over an hour and a half.

Alan King emails: Well worth the investment for the Borders and the country as a whole. Brilliant!

(Agree with Michael Moore? - that's another question altogether!)

Kelso Racecourse tweets:, external Don't miss out today to come and #CatchAPMcCoy !

Image source, Kelso Racecourse

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There is very little change taking place in the Borders today. It will remain largely dry with sunny spells. Cloud will increase in the west with a few light showers. Temperatures will reach around 7 celsius with light southwesterly winds.

The dry weather will also continue in the west of the region, give or take the odd passing shower over Galloway, mainly on the hills. There will be a fair amount of cloud, although a little brightness coming through. Temperatures will reach around 6 celsius at best with a light southwesterly breeze.

Richard Gordon
BBC Radio Scotland, Selkirk

Scottish Borders Council's capital and revenue budgets have been approved.

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#A712 Crocketford to New Galloway road is closed Balmaclellan. There's a lorry on fire here. Police directing traffic - delays both ways.

Peter Thompson emails: This reopened line is another very good thing for Scotland and for this region. The money is well spent and follows other very good rail expansion and improvement policies implemented by the Scottish Government. It will enhance the Borders area ability to grow and expand its business and commercial objectives and create jobs. It's a great pity we don't have the same level of reasoned governance in England as they do in Scotland.

Ian Henderson emails: The new opening of the old Waverley line has been long overdue. Personally living on the east coast I will be unable to use it. However when they reopen the Berwick line in 2016 the Borders will be accessible again to all and not left behind by both governments. On a side note I believe £33million is underselling the route.

All the latest on the Borders Railway and a serious crash in Dumfries and Galloway coming up on our local radio bulletins.

Image source, Thinkstock

Tune in at 12:30 to hear all the news, sport, travel and weather from our region.

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#A712 is *closed* due to a HGV on fire. Police are at the scene so please AVOID the area. #DriveSafe #BeAware

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Dumfries - the A74(M) remains closed northbound between J21 Kirkpatrick Fleming and J20 Eaglesfield for accident investigation work - it's been closed all morning and the queues are back to Gretna.

Police are diverting traffic onto the B7076 - but of course this route also very congested so adding time to your journey.

Ian Reed emails: Delighted to see money being spent on infrastructure for the many rather than handouts for the few.

Alan Paton emails: I'm delighted to see the Borders railway nearing completion. What I cannot understand however is that in the 21st century we still cannot provide a rail service that is barely quicker than cycling pace.

At the most it should take 30 minutes to travel the 30miles between Tweedbank and Edinburgh. Trundling along at a Victorian pace seems like a backward step to me.

Cameron Buttle
BBC Scotland

Capturing the last preparations to put the final piece of track in place on the Borders Railway.

The Southern Reporter's front page leads with a story about a student who admitted to having 50,000 indecent images of children.

Image source, Southern Reporter

@samcdonald2 tweets, external: Divide the cost by the years it will be in use by the amount of people using, The new railway line is worth every penny.

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The Border Telegraph posts, external: The train now arriving at Tweedbank is half an hour late! But looks fantastic!

Image source, Border Telegraph