DEVELOPERS have said a £3.64m regeneration project at Wilton Lodge Park is continuing to make good progress.

The scheme, being funded by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and the Heritage Lottery Fund, has experienced a busy summer of activity across the park with a number of infrastructure projects being taken forward.

It means the majority of the new infrastructure will be completed by Easter 2017, one year ahead of the overall project completion date of April 2018. 

ESH Border Construction have commenced works on the new café and bridge, and agreement has been reached with Wickstead - the developer of the new play-park - that both contractors will share access and facilities to allow the play-park works to begin early in October, rather than January 2017.

This will ensure both contracts are fully co-ordinated and ready to open ahead of the April 2017 target.

ESH is also working with Malcolm Construction, who are constructing the Hawick 3G pitch in nearby Volunteer Park, in order to allow the installation of the bridge to take place as smoothly as possible.

The upgraded waterfall walk and education area adjacent to Hawick Museum have been completed providing a purpose built seating and demonstration space for the museum and outdoor events.

Scottish Borders Council have also been successful in their application to SUSTRANS for £100,000 in order to improve the surface of footways, lighting and signage, along with a further £20,000 from Smarter Choices, Smarter Placed fund to promote cycling, this will enable further enhancements Wilton Lodge Park.

Preparatory works have been completed around the fountain which has included the removal of a number of trees and shrubs in order to restore the original setting for the feature and open up views to and from the museum.

Later this year, and leading into early 2017, landscaping work is due to take place to make the area more accessible, plus refurbish the fountain.

To enable work to progress on the 3G pitch, the Volunteer Park car park will be closed through the day on weekdays for around one month. 

A safe pedestrian route will be created and the car park will be open on evenings and weekends.

Councillor David Paterson, SBC Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “This is a fantastic project which will result in a major improvement to Wilton Lodge Park, making it an even better place for local people and visitors to spend time and enjoy themselves.

“I'm delighted that we will finish some of the works ahead of schedule, especially the play-park, which will be a fantastic facility for children in our town and will attract visitors to Hawick as it will be one of the biggest and best in the south of Scotland.”