A SCHEME which improved a stretch of Borders road has won a national award.

The £2.2-million safety improvement work at Dirtpot Corner on the A72, near Peebles, won a Ground Engineering UK Award in a virtual ceremony.

The work saw the corner widened by three metres, while it was also resurfaced and a new retaining wall structure was installed alongside the River Tweed.

READ MORE: Galashiels Academy: Councillors were 'unaware' work had started in Scott Park

Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for infrastructure, travel and transport, Gordon Edgar, said: “I am delighted that the work carried out by the council and its partners on the Dirtpot Corner improvement scheme has been recognised.

“The council found a solution for Dirtpot Corner which met the various environmental and road requirements and the result was a significantly better section of road for locals and commuters to use.”

In a joint statement, Tweeddale East councillors Stuart Bell, Shona Haslam and Robin Tatler said it was “fantastic to see the scheme pick up a national award”.

READ MORE: Gender pay gap: Borders women to 'work without pay' from December 9

“Dirtpot Corner had presented problems for local communities and road users for a number of years, with the improvement scheme being widely welcomed when it was completed last year,” they said.

The scheme was designed and managed by Scottish Borders Council, alongside SBC Contracts, Albion Drilling Group, MHB Consultants and Maccaferri.

The award was announced last month.