WORK is under way this week to remove a longstanding safety hazard from the village of Clovenfords.

A 100-metre length of verge to the east of the village is being transformed by Scottish Borders Council to complete the last stretch of the cycle/walkway from Galashiels.

“People wanting to use this path have, up to now, had to take a detour by crossing the busy A72 either side of the Meigle Row junction,” explained Councillor Gavin Logan (Tweeddale East) who lives in the village.

“I’ve had endless complaints about this, particularly from mums with prams, and the community council has fought long and hard to have the gap in the walkway bridged.

“I’m delighted this pressure has finally paid off and I’m sure the whole community is grateful.

“With funding in place for a cycle and walking path along the Tweed between Walkerburn and Innerleithen, I hope the next step will be to create a path, possibly along the route of the old railway line, linking Clovenfords with Walkerburn.

“To be able to walk or cycle safely from Galashiels all the way to Peebles would really be something special.”