Work has resumed on the Borders Railway scheme, it has been confirmed.

Last month, work on the project was temporarily halted after a worker was seriously injured while off-loading sleepers. A series of additional procedures have now been put in place and work has restarted.

To date, more than 75% of the track laying has been completed and it is anticipated that a majority of the track work and its associated construction will end just before Christmas (23 December) for the holiday period to allow minor works to be undertaken.

The main construction work will then recommence on Monday 5 January.


Elsewhere, access roads at Heriot and Fountainhall as well as the road situated over the railway at Falahill have opened, with landscaping and minor works still to be completed. Meanwhile, the one-way system in Galashiels has been temporarily lifted for the holiday period and will be reinstated on 5 January to allow works to be completed around the new station.

New pedestrian footbridges have been created, with the final footbridge for the South and Central sections of the railway installed last month. Early next year, one more footbridge will be built at Harelaw.

Redbridge Viaduct will remain closed until 19 December to prepare for the arrival of the new railway. The footpath crossing the viaduct will then be resurfaced, street lighting installed and fencing between the footpath and railway erected.

Once the rails are in place, ballast can be distributed by rail and will help reduce construction traffic on the roads. As the track nears completion, work on completing various structures, as well as fencing, communication wiring and vegetation management will begin.

(JP/IT)