Demolition of Galafoot Gasworks starts
Monday, March 2 2009
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and Scottish Enterprise have appointed Rodger (Builders) Ltd of Earlston to carry out demolition work at the former gas works site at Galafoot, Galashiels. The work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2009.
The single storey workshop block, with asbestos cement clad roof, will be demolished and underground storage tanks will be removed from the former gas works site.
The project is the first contract of the planned redevelopment of the Galafoot site, which is the only remaining undeveloped Council owned site within the town.
Recent feasibility studies and a flood risk assessment have been undertaken, to check for contaminated land and establish the site ecology.
SBC is aiming to develop the land and provide new site opportunities, subject to the completion of necessary works to satisfy SEPA. If the area can be developed it may provide sites and opportunities for local business to relocate, especially those that may be affected by the line of the proposed railway through Galashiels.
The development proposal makes use of the existing infrastructure as much as possible and aims to create a scheme which will cause the least possible disruption to Scottish Gas’s operations, which are already located at Galafoot.
Councillor Vicky Davidson, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “This work is the first stage of the planned redevelopment of the Galafoot site and SBC hopes this redevelopment could provide an opportunity to allow local businesses to relocate and potentially attract new businesses to the area.”
The project cost is around £38,000. The demolition project was prepared by, and is being supervised by, SBC’s Architects.
The project is being undertaken in conjunction with SBC’s New Ways Strategy partner, Scottish Enterprise, who are contributing to the demolition contract and providing financial assistance to the site studies.
Nigel Watson, Director of Business Infrastructure for Scottish Enterprise, said: “The site clearance and investigation work is a useful step towards releasing more development potential in the Netherdale area, which is already benefiting from the investment in the building work arising from the co-location of Borders College and Heriot Watt University.”
Unified Solutions.