Border Telegraph | News | Between 10,000 Tonnes of Rock and a Hard Place

Monday, 13th October, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 16th July, 2008 09:00

Between 10,000 Tonnes of Rock and a Hard Place

By Alexa Brown

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A landslide that has severed a major route into the Borders could cost the area 10,000 tonnes of rock and thousands of pounds in lost tourism.

Torrential rain on Thursday caused a large section of the embankment on the A7 road south of Langholm to be washed away, causing major delays to motorists and diversions which added up to 60 miles onto travellers’ journeys.

It is thought that around 60 metres of carriageway will need to be replaced, and 10,000 tonnes of rock brought to site to stabilise the embankment.

The road could remain closed for up to eight weeks.

There are also growing fears that the road closure could affect tourism in the Borders during what are normally the busiest months of the year.

One man who was planning to travel up from Northern England to stay with friends in the Borders on Saturday told the Border Telegraph: “We come up around this time every year, but we’ve got small kids and we’d heard that the diversions could add up to 60 miles onto the journey.

"There were delays too so we though it would be easier just to wait until the road has reopened in a few weeks.”

However, a spokesperson from national tourism specialists Visit Scotland told us: “There have been a number of alternatives put in place and although the diversion is not ideal it does serve as a connection for the North West of England and the Scottish Borders.

"Alternative bus routes have also been put in place, again minimising disruption to the Borders.”

“This is clearly an unfortunate situation and we hope it will come to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.

"Bear Scotland and all other parties involved have done an excellent job getting on the scene quickly, so hopefully this will minimise the disruption and tourism can continue to prosper in the area.”

Bear Scotland, which manages the road, are hopeful that repair works will be able to start later this week following the removal of trees from the area.

Should visitors wish further information they can contact Visit Scotland’s Hawick Tourist Information Centre on 01450 373993.

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