MOTORISTS can expect disruption during a major upgrade of water supplies in the central Borders.

Thousands of homes in and around Selkirk and Galashiels are supplied from the water treatment plant at Howden.

To cater for more houses being built in the area Scottish Water is proposing to upgrade treatment plants and tanks at both Howden and also Manse Street in Galashiels.

And they want to bury a new 11 kilometre pipeline to connect the two.

A working width of up to 20 metres will be required for laying the pipe, which will run along a section of the A7 between Lindean and the Tweed Bridge, as well as the A699 and B6360.

Channels will also be dug on Shawpark Road, Buxton Road, Bridgelands Road and Broomhill Road in Selkirk.

And eight water courses, including the Tweed, will have to be crossed.

Scottish Water have now submitted a scoping request to Scottish Borders Council's planning department ahead of progressing the upgrade.

But local councillor Gordon Edgar said: "This is a major job and there will be serious disruption on the A7.

"The pipeline will follow the route of the proposed Selkirk bypass then move onto the A7 and over to the tank at Meigle Hill in Gala."