artery

As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

The 98-mile Edinburgh-Carlisle 'Waverley Route' provided over a century of service as an Anglo-Scottish artery, prior to its closure by British Rail, and its loss provoked anger in the Scottish Borders.