Steve emails: Great news that the railway is back. Just replacing what Beeching stole from the communities of this area. People will have the option of leaving the car to travel and better for people without a car. More track is required back in other places like Fraserburgh, again sadly without a rail link.

Ross Clark emails: The rail link into the borders is long over due. The benefits of this will be one apparent early on. This may also provide the justification to extend onward to Carlisle. The people who live on the route now no longer have to use either their own car or bus service to get into Edinburgh.

It is a real shame the line didn't go into Melrose in the first instance as I'm sure the road traffic heading down for the Melrose sevens would be a lot less and would also contribute towards line line paying itself back. Roll on September 6th and the line being being well used by borders community and tourists.

The back page of the Galloway News reports on the Dalbeattie's 5-1 loss to Gala.

Image source, Galloway News

Peter McGeehan emails: A straight comparison with the Edinburgh Tram System at 8.7 miles long and a final cost of £776m would surely indicate that the train gives far greater value for money, flexibility and service. The opening up of the Edinburgh to the Borders route for investment is now only subject to desire and want and not hindered by excuse!

Harry Laird emails: I really think the railway will bring opportunities to businesses in the Borders, but they must be prepared to show some legendary Scottish enterprise. Let's give this railway a good go, and in a few years time take it on to Hawick. The wrongs of the 1960s are about to be corrected: hurrah for the railway! See you on 6 September.

The Galloway News leads with the latest on the row over Dumfries and Galloway Council's education cuts.

Image source, Galloway News

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tweets, external: #A74(M) N/B at J21 - no change unfortunately, approx 30-60min delays through the diversion & crash investigation on-going. #BeAware

Derek Bennett emails: Total waste of money - the idea of the railway "opening up the Borders" is nonsense. Virtually no one I have spoken to over a long period is in favour of the project - it is politically motivated.

The vast majority of people in the Borders are not close enough to a station to use the railway. I live in Heriot and the nearest station is either eight miles north (to Gorebridge) or eight miles south (to Stow). Am I really going to drive (or get on a bus) for approx eight miles to get on a train?

An investigation is being carried out following a blaze at Peebles' Old Courthouse last night.

Image source, Stanley Howe

The fire broke out just before 23:00 on the first floor of the building, which now houses a restaurant and bar as well as other businesses.

Three fire crews helped extinguish the flames and the last crew was stood down just before 2am.

One man was treated for smoke inhalation.

Chris Reynell emails: The report shows a boost to the local economy at over 10% of the cost of this line, a good investment.

Hope one day the line will be continued to Carlisle, for local passenger travel and freight eg timber, aggregates and as new longer distance route to Edinburgh.

I visit Scotland once or twice per year, by rail from Hampshire (better and cheaper than driving and more flexible than flying) and like others I know, look forward to visiting and staying in this beautiful area.

Cameron Buttle
BBC Scotland

Heading to Tweedbank along the Borders Railway.

Jenny Mollison emails: Agree with Michael Moore all the way! The railway will reopen kinds of opportunities for people in the Borders and, crucially, take people off the roads. I live in Musselburgh and have been watching progress with excitement. I'm sure I'm not alone in just looking forward to taking trips on this line for the sheer pleasure of the experience. Congratulations all round.

Sheila Anderson emails: Completely agree with this project. Next phase should be to continue south to Jedburgh.

The Scottish transport minister Keith Brown tweets, external: Fantastic being on train from Galashiels to Tweedbank, and being allowed to sound the horn! All aboard! (on September 6th)

Cameron Buttle
BBC Scotland

On the train with infrastructure minister Keith Brown. He's been given the task of operating the warning horn in the cab as we pass work teams.

Only travelling 3-4 miles an hour as track isn't bedded in yet. Great sense of excitement as we travel - very slowly - to Tweedbank for the final piece of track laying.

A ceremony in Tweedbank will mark a major milestone in the construction of the Borders Railway today, when the final piece of track is laid.

MP Michael Moore has said the opening of the railway in September could be an "Olympic moment" for the region. Do you agree?

Let us know your views.

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tweets, external: #A77 S/B coming out of Cairnryan prior to the Fish Farm turning - Deer blocking the road here. TRISS are en-route to remove the animal.

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tweets, external: #A74(M) N/B J21 is currently *closed* due to a overturned HGV. Traffic being diverted off at J21 via #B7076 & #B722.

Image source, Traffic Scotland

The final piece of track is due to be laid at the Borders Railway in a ceremony this morning.

Image source, Borders Railway

The 30-mile link between the Borders and Edinburgh is the longest domestic railway to be built in the UK in more than 100 years.

It is due to open to passenger trains in September.

Colin Colthart
BBC Radio Scotland, Dumfries

A driver is in a serious condition in hospital after his lorry overturned on the M74 in Dumfriesshire.

The crash, which happened shortly at about 04:10, has blocked the northbound carriageway at junction 21 Kirkpatrick Fleming.

The casualty is being treated in Dumfries Infirmary.

Traffic is being diverted on the B7076 but there are reports of long tail backs.

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In the Borders it will be a dry, mainly cloudy day. The cloud will break across the east to give some bright or sunny spells, especially along the Berwickshire coast. Southerly winds will be light with values today of 7 or 8 celsius where we see brighter skies.

In Dumfries and Galloway, it will be another rather dull start to the day with very little in the way of brightness. As it turns a little more breezy we could see a few breaks this afternoon along with the odd light shower. Temperatures will reach around 6 celsius with a light south-westerly breeze.

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In Dumfries and Galloway the northbound A74(M) is closed between junction 21 Kirkpatrick Fleming and junction 20 Eaglesfield. It is likely to be that way for several hours while accident investigation work is carried out.

Speed sensors are picking up slow traffic on the main carriageway and through the diversion which is via the B7076.

Nichola Rutherford
BBC Scotland

Good morning from a dreich Dumfries.

It's already shaping up to be a busy news day so stick with us until 5pm for the latest from across the south of Scotland.