SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) has announced the main contractors set to deliver two high school projects in the region.

BAM Construction Ltd will be responsible for building a “state-of-the-art” facility in Peebles.

The school will replace the previous campus which was seriously damaged by a fire in November, 2019.

Martin Cooper, construction director for BAM, said the company will “work with the community”.

“BAM are delighted to have been selected for the construction of the new Peebles High School,” he said.

“Not only will we deliver very sustainable, highly modern and extensive facilities for students and staff, but BAM will use our time here to work with the community and local firms to make sure we give something back beyond creating a great building.

“It’s a great opportunity for us all and we will be reaching out to our partners so that we can all make the most of it.”

Meanwhile, Morrison Construction has been appointed to deliver the Galashiels Community Campus, a replacement for the “outdated” Galashiels Academy building.

Both contractors will begin to familiarise themselves with the respective construction sites, stakeholders and designs that have been developed to date, according to a council spokesperson.

Planning applications for both sites are due to be submitted next year.

A period of further design development for the projects will then follow with construction works anticipated to start in late 2022.

SBC has also confirmed the continuation of its partnership with Hub South East who will oversee both projects through the various development phases.

Eddie Robertson, managing director of Morrison Construction Building Central, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to this fantastic new project in Galashiels.

“We have a strong track record in delivering major new education campuses in partnership with Hub South East, and we very much look forward to working again with Scottish Borders Council to provide high-quality facilities for local students and the wider community.”

East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, SBC’s executive member for children and young people, said the local authority wants to create “world-class” education facilities.

“The appointments of BAM Construction and Morrison Construction as tier 1 contractors and the announcement of our continued partnership with Hub South East marks an important step in the progression of these two major projects,” the Conservative member said.

“We believe their respective track records in successfully delivering projects of this scale can help the council achieve its ambition of providing world-class education facilities for young learners across the Borders.”