SIR, I would advise that I have recently received a copy of your newspaper for January 21 from a friend in Edinburgh. And I would like to write about your article entitled “Pensioners cut off by underpass floods”.

I have for some time now been coming to see the construction of the Borders Railway at various locations along the route. So I am now well aware of the rail-laying and the ballasting that is getting closer in Galashiels.

I have now seen the rail-laying last Friday, January 30, at the site of the old Peebles junction in Galashiels and the ballasting last Wednesday, January 28, at Whitelee. So in a way I get the impression that all is well with the construction but nevertheless I cannot help but wonder about certain things such as the underpass at Heriot.

I have visited the site and I am somewhat surprised at the footway being muddy and wet each time. But I have to say that a look at the vegetation to the north and in some parts to the south too would suggest that the water table is very high indeed. This could be highlighted by the fact that Shoestanes Burn goes under the railway south of the underpass.

But what is more is that the stream is much higher than the lowest part of the underpass. Thus the area of the underpass is almost below the water table when compared with the burn. It would appear therefore that a mistake has been made in not appreciating the higher level of the water table there.

And I would have thought that a footbridge with steps as well as ramps, to the north of the old level crossing would have been much better. But, on the other hand, this footbridge could have been a road bridge instead of the new one further south. So I can only hope that the remedial work will enhance the underpass in due course. I would also like to thank you for your excellent coverage of the Borders Railway project.

I am, etc.

Duncan Anderson Tyne and Wear