HORSE riders who pressured the council to repair a dangerous bridge will be banned when the structure reopens, it has emerged.

Last week we revealed that Scottish Borders Council (SBC) would “functionally repair” Haughhead footbridge, near Innerleithen.

The former railway bridge, across the River Tweed, was shut after a pony’s hoof went through the deck in late August.

During the closure, horse riders have been forced to use a single-track back road.

But despite campaigning for the bridge to be fixed, horse riders will now be excluded from using the crossing when it reopens.

Writing on Innerleithen Online last Saturday, Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas said: “With the bridge being such an important active travel link for the surrounding area, the council has been keen to see this issue resolved quickly and the bridge reopened as soon as possible.

“Once the repairs are completed, we will be able to open the bridge for walkers and cyclists.

“However, the functional repair work will unfortunately not allow us to open the bridge to horses and riders.”

Nicola Philip, from Haughhead Stables, whose pony had the initial accident, has raised concerns about the safety of the back road, with blind bends and a 40mph limit.

Ms Philip said: “This is not the outcome we were looking for.

“I will be contacting SBC as we cannot continue using the back road forever, it’s not safe enough.”

A member of the public, who preferred not to be named, said: “Why is it not being made horse safe?

“I’m afraid pushing horses, vulnerable road users, onto roads is not an acceptable solution.”

An SBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm the information shared by Cllr Douglas is correct.

“Due to the altered use and the likelihood of increased horse travel, on the surrounding roads, following the bridge repairs, SBC will upgrade current road markings and erect new 40mph speed limit signage in the area.

“The signs, along with the ‘Slow’ road markings, are due to be in place by early November.”