Borders Bridge on Track

A vital piece of early work in advance of construction on the Borders rail project has just been completed.

Diversionary works adjacent to Over bridge 41, which is 8km south of (the proposed) Gorebridge station and 16km north from the village of Stow on the route of the railway, have been undertaken.

While the majority of the advance works programme is due to commence in late 2009, this piece of work has already been carried out as part of the Borders Railway project.

The work involved construction of a temporary access road at Cowbraehill Farm in the Scottish Borders to stop traffic using a bridge that had fallen into disrepair and had become a safety hazard.

The bridge, which is located two miles east of Middleton between Edinburgh and Galashiels, has been in use by local residents since the closure of the railway line in 1969. However, the deteriorating condition of the bridge meant works were required to ensure safe access for local residents in advance of the reintroduction of the Borders Railway.

The structure, a single square span masonry arch built in 1849, will be demolished and rebuilt as a road over rail bridge when the Borders line is up and running in 2013.

Bill Reeve, Head of Rail Delivery at Transport Scotland, said:

"This first stage of preparatory work is a vital part of the process, signalling the start of a programme of construction works for the Borders Railway."

On 3 December 2008, Ministers accelerated funding for advanced works to commence, enabling work to start on the Borders Railway Project this year, continuing throughout 2010. This preparatory stage will include diversion and protection of utilities as well as additional environmental work.