FALSE starting stonemasons will have to wait until January before they start work on a controversial wall in Selkirk.

The tradesmen jumped the gun earlier this month at the Glen Wall in Yarrow Terrace.

And they had to be pulled off the job to await a final legal document being signed.

The crumbling roadside wall has been at the centre of an ownership and responsibility stand-off for over four years between the hotel and Scottish Borders Council.

And since the start of 2013 a temporary one-way system around Buccleuch Road and Mill Street has been in place.

An agreement was reached during the summer about footing the bill.

And last month the Border Telegraph revealed that contractors had been appointed to start repairs.

But the builders jumped the gun last week.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar said: "The contractor was booked and they had started work, unfortunately they had to pulled off the job as the final document was still to be signed.

"The paperwork has now all been signed off and a final site meeting takes place this week."

Contractors will return to Yarrow Terrace during the first full week of January to resume repairs and install anchors.

The work is due to be completed around mid-February with two-way traffic returning a short time later.

Councillor Michelle Ballantyne added: "It has been a slow process but an end is now in sight."