New look town centre is 'money well spent'

Newsdesk Newsdesk - 1020 • Published 5 Sep 2007 11:23

THE £400,000 revamp of Melrose town centre is seen as a catalyst for other Borders towns.

And similar schemes could be rolled out if funds are available

Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Councillor, made no promises, but did not rule out copycat schemes when he helped to inaugurate the Melrose one-way system recently.

'This is money well spent and I think it could be the catalyst to invest in this quality in other communities in the years ahead,' he said.

During the ceremony tributes were paid to the stonemason in charge of the work, Gary Fay, who died in a road accident just before the last copestone was laid.

The memory of his work will linger on with an inscription in his honour on one one of the stones.

Locals and visitors alike basked in the sun as Councillor Parker described is a "very special day" which recognised the "significant" work done to develop the new Melrose Square".

'In recent months, Melrose has been transformed by this development, effectively moving what was a lovely central feature with parking to this very nice civic space which is an asset to the town.

'It is a credit to all of those, the Stakeholders Group, Community Council and the residents who were very patient as we began the construction to pull the Square together.'

The new-look Square has been welcomed by the chairman of the Community Council, Provost William Windram.

'Everyone in Melrose is delighted to see the finished "article" and would like to pay tribute to all involved in the design and construction and the quality of the result,' he said.

Provost Windram thanked former councillor Bill Smith "for his many efforts over many years".

He went on: 'This undertaking was no easy task. It is a complex design and I would like to thank the traders and residents who bore the many inconveniences while the work was on-going.

'I want also to thank the Stakeholders Group. Many hours of thought and deliberation went in to agreeing all the details.'

Group chairman Graham Barker paid tribute to Mr Fay for his contribution to the work, "which, sadly he was unable to see completed.'

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 05 Sep 07

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