A public consultation seeking the views of Borderers on a proposed active travel route between Tweedbank and Eyemouth is open.

The proposed route would see a 53km path created between the existing Tweedbank railway station and the new Reston station, with potential onward connections to Coldingham and Eyemouth also being considered.  

Scottish Boarder Council has received funding from South of Scotland Enterprise to progress with a feasibility study for the new route and we are keen to gather the thoughts of landowners, residents, community groups and businesses along the route.

The study will examine a route following the alignment of the former railway line that originally linked the stations and would run through the heart of the region connecting towns and villages including Earlston, Greenlaw, Duns and Chirnside.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Infrastructure, Travel and Transport, said: “Through the data we have collected over the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear to see that there has been a positive shift in the way people are engaging with the outdoors, including embracing new ways to travel that have health and wellbeing and environmental benefits.

“This change of attitude has seen more and more people choosing walking and cycling as means of transport and the Council is using this opportunity to examine ways in which we can promote more active travel across the region.

“By exploring a new active travel route between Tweedbank and Reston, following the route of the old railway line, we would be able to reconnect the two settlements and all the communities in between, which will in turn widen opportunities for safe travel and exercise.”