Another milestone in the advance work on Borders Railway will be completed this week with the demolition of the Cowbraehill bridge.
The bridge, which crosses the railway, has fallen into disrepair and a new permanent bridge will be constructed as part of the Borders rail project.
The work is estimated to take a week to complete.
Scottish Borders Council Contracts is undertaking the work on behalf of Transport Scotland and the materials will be reused and recycled on the project. Facing stone removed from Cowbraehill will be stored and provided to the main contractor, when appointed, to be used for repair and refurbishment of other bridges along the route. Other materials will be recycled and used by Scottish Borders Council on other projects.
Cowbraehill is located 8km south of the proposed Gorebridge Station and 16km north from the village of Stow.
Steve Milligan, Borders Railway Project Director, Transport Scotland said:
“We are making good progress on the Borders Railway project with this and other advance works well under way, all land need for the project purchased, and the procurement of a contractor moving forward.
“The Borders Railway is an important project and when completed will open up real social and economic opportunities for communities in the Lothians and Borders.”
Leader of Scottish Borders Council, Councillor David Parker said:
"I am delighted that the advanced works on the Borders Railway are continuing at a good pace. Transport Scotland have instigated a range of advanced works which are designed to help with the delivery of the project and I know that further works are planned in the months ahead.
“At this time, an enormous amount of work is going on to deliver the Borders Railway and I am very encouraged with how the project is being managed and the progress that is being made."
Advance work already carried out has included scour treatment at Gala Water, a diversion of a 1.5 km water main from the old railway trackbed in Stow together with other utility diversions in Dalkeith, Cowbraehill and Galashiels.
