Published: Sunday, 28th June, 2009 6:48pm

Long-awaited road works driven forward

PHASE two of the Galashiels Inner Relief Road project is due to start today (Monday, June 29).

Following a tendering process, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has awarded the contract for construction of the link Road from Albert Place to Paton Street to SBC Contracts, the Council"s in-house contractor.

Phase two involves the demolition of the Albert Place petrol station, associated buildings and the former ATS premises to make way for the new link road. This is a key part of the strategy to reduce congestion in Galashiels town centre.

The work will be carried out in four distinct phases to minimise disruption. Diversion signs will be in operation throughout every phase.

The first phase will allow public utilities to be diverted. For safety reasons Albert Place will be made one-way, with traffic allowed westwards towards Galashiels. The upper section of Hill Street will also be closed to vehicles from its junction with Croft Street to the Albert Place junction. This work is expected to take four weeks.

The second phase will involve Scotia Gas Networks replacing a length of old pipe work in Paton Street. During this phase, Paton Street will become one-way from the town centre towards Tesco. This is expected to last around four weeks.

The third phase is the construction of a new roundabout and will involve closing the roads at the existing T-junction between Paton Street, Huddersfield Street and the new bridge link to Asda for six weeks.

The final phase will be the construction of the new link road within the former Burgh yard site and the connections to Albert Place. Albert Place will need to be made one-way again (with traffic allowed in a westward direction into the town) for part of this phase, which is estimated to last a total of sixteen weeks.

SBC has consulted with the police, local community groups and local businesses with regard to the traffic management arrangements, and all efforts will be made to minimise disruption. We would ask for the public"s co-operation during this time.

Clear signage will indicate diversions, but if anyone has any general queries, they should contact the Galashiels Contact Centre in Paton Street, or call the Customer Service team on 0300 100 1800.