New Boleside Cycle Way now open
Wednesday, March 16 2005
On Wednesday 16 March 2005, a ceremony was held to mark the opening of the new Boleside Cycle Way near Galashiels.
The new 1.2km long cycle path between the Old Tweed Bridge at Ettrickfoot and Boleside in Galashiels has been built, in the first instance, to replace a potentially dangerous crossing of the A7 on the long established Tweed Cycle Way.
It will now be possible to re-route the Innerleithen to Melrose section of National Cycle Network Route 1, which currently follows a route through Galashiels. This is not to say that Galashiels will be totally bypassed by the National Cycle Network in the future. The town will be clearly signposted from Route 1 so that long distance cyclists will have the option of visiting it if so desired.
There are also advantages for local cyclists. It will now be much easier to cycle commute between Selkirk and Netherdale or the Borders General Hospital and it will also open up opportunities for short leisure trips. Of course, the path has not been built exclusively for cyclists. Walkers and horse riders will also benefit from the safe crossing under the A7.
The path was designed by Scottish Borders Council Professional Services and constructed by the Direct Labour Organisation under a contract valued at just over £100,000. A £75,000 grant was provided by the Scottish Executive, with the balance of the funding from the Council's own budget.
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