The Scottish Borders Railway Line evaluation reports and projections: EIR release

You asked for:

A Scotsman report on the recent AGM of the Campaign for Borders Rail quoted a Transport Scotland spokesperson as saying:

“The Borders Railway has been a phenomenal success as it continues to grow……………..communities along its length”

1. Please provide empirical evidence to support these assertions. 
2. Please indicate which consultant has been appointed to conduct the much touted £10m exploration of the potential extension, the methodology for their selection, and the timescale for completing the study.