A NEW access road connecting the village of Fountainhall with the A7 is now open to motorists.

However, the turning lane into the new development has resulted in the loss of one of the few overtaking places on the main road between Edinburgh and the Borders.

The road, which was needed to allow traffic to cross the new rail line between the capital and Tweedbank, was developed as part of infrastructure improvements related to the Borders Railway project.

Pedestrians travelling between the bus stop and Fountainhall will be temporarily diverted down Old Stage Road until the new footpath of the access road is completed which is expected to be by mid-November.

Once the pedestrian footpath on the new access road is active the old Fountainhall access road will be completely closed, as a through road. Local access will remain.

Meanwhile, work is continuing on the grass verges on the adjoining A7 and the embankment in the Fountainhall area. Some temporary traffic measures are required while this work is undertaken but these will be localised to approximately 100 metre sections where required. The 30mph speed limit on A7 at this location will remain in place until the verge, street lighting and barrier works are completed.

Hugh Wark, Network Rail project director said: “The opening of the new access road will provide Fountainhall residents and visitors with a new route onto the A7 slightly north of Old Stage Road which existed previously. Whilst works continue at this location, motorists will now be able to use the new route. We expect the related works to be completed by mid-November.” The continuing work to the grass verges at Fountainhall will see extended weekend working hours whilst these essential works are undertaken; the project team will continue to work closely with the local community.

Poor weather was blamed for the delay in reopening another busy link road which crosses the line in Galashiels.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “It was expected that Winston Road would be closed until end of October. However, the poor weather over the last week means that waterproofing to the road surface could not be completed and we are now looking to partially open the road on November 4.” But they added: “The road will not be opened in full - one lane will open initially controlled by traffic management. This system will be required for a few additional weeks while we complete the road surfacing.” Elsewhere in Galashiels, Ladhope Vale is still on target to reopen to two-way traffic by early December, according to rail chiefs.

Work has restarted on the wall separating the town’s train station from the A7 - which was described as “ghastly” by a community councillor last month - despite no resolution having been reached over the stone to be used.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: “Discussions are ongoing but the restarted works are not using the contentious brick colours.”