Tweedbank running track set to be replaced after new funding agreed
Last updated 11th Nov 2026
Work’s set to start on replacing the running track at Tweedbank in the new year - after councillors approved more than half a million pounds of funding for the project.
Scottish Borders Council’s finance executive heard parts of it are breaking up and the steeplechase section has already been condemned.
And members were warned more of the attraction could be forced to close without urgent action.
Council leader Euan Jardine is a former international hill runner. He said: “I think we are under-estimating what we have here in the Borders in having this athletics track, there is no other synthetic athletics track in the region."
And he added: "To give people an opportunity to excel in a sport you need to give them the facilities to do so.”
Scottish Athletics report that there has been a 64% membership growth from athletes in the Borders in the last 10 years.
The running track at Tweedbank was installed in 2013 and is now judged to have “reached the end of its operational life” with replacement seen as a key priority.
But Tuesday's meeting heard it is beginning to break up - with tree roots also causing damage - and, as a result, it no longer meets the standards required for UKA TrackMark accreditation.
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Selkirkshire Councillor Leagh Douglas said: “As someone who used that track frequently I know the state of it as of six years ago and it was in a bad state then."
And Simon Mountford, SBC’s executive member for Planning and Community Assets, added: “This is the only running track of its kind in the Borders and if we don’t repair it we are going to have to close it, which would be a very bad move.”
SBC’s estate of synthetic surfaces has continued to grow in recent years. It includes six full-size 3G and nine full-size 2G pitches, one full synthetic athletics track, four compact athletics facilities, and three Multi Use Games Areas.
A further full size 2G, 3G and compact athletics facility will open when works at the new Galashiels campus are completed next year.
Members were told the hockey pitch in Kelso is likely next in line to be replaced.
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A report to members, from John Curry, SBC’s director of Infrastructure and Environment, stated: “To restore the venue to an acceptable and compliant standard, Sports Labs recommend a full re-surfacing of the polymeric track, including any necessary base repairs once the existing surface has been removed.
“This will provide a durable and cost–effective long term solution, re-instating the facility as a high-quality community and competition venue. The estimated cost of the work is £0.518m.
“The work to replace the track requires to be undertaken within the best weather window available.
“Given the current track condition, the proposal to replace the track is being brought ahead of the full review.
“If not approved ahead of the wider review, there will be insufficient time to appoint contractors to begin works in Spring 2027.
“Failure to carry out the work at this time will significantly increase the risk of health and safety closures.”
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