Millions secured for new walking and cycling routes across Scottish Borders
Detailed designs for a new active travel path linking Hawick and Selkirk with the new Center Parcs holiday village are among a number of projects to secure a share of more than £3.4m.
The funding's been awarded to Scottish Borders Council by Transport Scotland to support walking, wheeling and cycling projects across the region.
It'll also pay for an upgrade to the existing coastal path between St Abbs and Coldingham; as well as complete the missing link along the A68 between Drygrange and the Leaderfoot Viaduct; and the remainder of the route between Lauder and Oxton.
Other projects to benefit include the River Tweed Trail between Eddleston and Peebles - providing a shared use path from the Tweed Valley Railway Path to Haylodge Park, subject to planning; as well as a new link between the Borders Railway terminus in Tweedbank and the new care village, currently under construction at Lowood.
The funding will also support the development of proposed active travel links between Hawick and Denholm and Peebles and the Midlothian boundary, while design work will continue on the Chirnside to Reston section of the Borders Greenway project, part of plans for a longer route between Tweedbank and Eyemouth.
READ MORE: Disruption ahead as A68 through Lauder closes overnight for resurfacing
Councillor Jenny Linehan, the local authority's Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said: “This is a significant funding award for the Scottish Borders and reflects the ambition we have to make active travel a realistic and attractive choice for more people.
“These projects will help improve connections between our towns and villages, support healthier and more sustainable everyday journeys and make it easier for residents and visitors to move around the Borders by walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding.”
READ MORE: Plans unveiled for new path to Center Parcs Scottish Borders
Work on the projects is expected to be completed by the end of March 2027.
The Scottish Goverment's Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Steven Flynn, said: “I am pleased that around £3.5 million from the Scottish Government will support Scottish Borders Council’s ambitious plans to improve active travel connections across the region – making it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, and cycle for everyday journeys.
“Projects like these help connect communities, support healthier lifestyles, strengthen local economies and encourage more sustainable travel choices for residents and visitors alike.
“This investment forms part of the Scottish Government’s wider commitment to active and sustainable travel, with £226 million being invested this year. This will help deliver high-quality infrastructure and give people right across Scotland more opportunities to choose active travel as part of their daily lives.”
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