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Path to Scotland's first Center Parcs secures funding support

News imageScottish Borders Council A bus running along the road to Selkirk with a wide cycling path beside itScottish Borders Council
The path is one of a number of projects to receive support

A proposed £12m path linking two towns in the Borders to Scotland's first Center Parcs has secured funding support.

The aim is to cut car journeys and increase active travel, with daily commuting trips between Hawick and Selkirk expected to more than double when the holiday village opens in 2029.

It is one of a range or projects in the region to have gained nearly £3.5m of Transport Scotland funding.

Jenny Linehan, executive member for transport on Scottish Borders Council, said it was a "significant" award which could help make active travel a "realistic and attractive choice for more people".

Consultation on the plans was held earlier this year.

The project - to run near the route of the A7 - has divided opinion with some people describing it as a "great idea" but others considering the price "excessive".

Concerns have been raised about how many people would want to walk on a path next to a busy road and some residents have suggested upgrading the existing Abbey Way would be a better option.

News imageCenter Parcs An artist's impression of how Scotland's first Center Parcs might look with a pathway surrounded by trees and buildings and people milling aboutCenter Parcs
Scotland's first Center Parcs is expected to open to the public in 2029

However, others in the area have backed the plans and called for an extended path network across the region.

Scottish Borders Council has estimated that if the path was built there could be more than 200 daily cycling trips to and from Center Parcs made by staff and visitors.

A project timeline could firstly see the section from Hawick to the holiday village built around the time the park opens in 2029, with the second section to Selkirk being constructed after that.

News imageA map showing the locations of Selkirk and Hawick and a new Center Parcs site
The route would mainly follow the A7 between Hawick and Selkirk via Center Parcs

The path project is one of a number to have secured backing for either their design or construction.

The construction projects include:

  • The Eddleston Water Bridge to Fotheringham Bridge on the River Tweed Trail
  • Lauder to Oxton final works on the shared use path
  • Lowood Care Village path connection to Tweedbank station
  • Drygrange to Leaderfoot active travel corridor
  • St Abbs to Coldingham coastal path

The Selkirk to Hawick scheme has secured design funding along with:

  • The Hawick to Denholm active travel corridor
  • Peebles to Penicuik feasibility study
  • Chirnside to Reston section of the Borders Greenway

All work on the projects is expected to be completed by 31 March next year.

Jenny Linehan said the projects would help improve the links between towns and villages and make active travel more straightforward.

Transport Secretary Steven Flynn added: "Projects like these help connect communities, support healthier lifestyles, strengthen local economies and encourage more sustainable travel choices for residents and visitors alike."