A BID for a new £250,000 play park in the Borders is set to move a step closer to reality next week.

Since May 2018 Scottish Borders Council has invested £2.1m to enhance the region’s network of playparks and community spaces – with a further £647,000 earmarked to be spent in the forthcoming financial year.

As part of this leisure drive, ‘destination play areas’ have been delivered in Harestanes, Galashiels, Kelso, Peebles, Hawick, Coldstream and Newtown St Boswells, with further projects planned in Jedburgh, Duns, Eyemouth and Earlston.

Now the council is pushing ahead with a new facility at Allerley Well Park in Jedburgh, to be designed by Kettering-based Wickstead Leisure Limited.

During negotiations with Wickstead it was agreed to increase the scope and the cost of the project from the original amount of £200,000 to £250,000 – with the additional funds to be provided by Jedburgh Common Good Fund, members of which will meet on Monday, February 28, to endorse or reject that request.

The proposed new play park will be accessible to all with 25 separate attractions, including a central feature of a bespoke multi-play area, which is to include a 6.5m long double width slide and a locally inspired climbing rockspace feature.

The play park will cover 920 square metres and will be surrounded by fencing and wetpour safety surfacing.

A report to next week’s committee says: “The additional funding will enhance the playpark to provide more equipment and provide a greater experience for children using the play park.”

If all goes to plan the park will be constructed this summer.

The report adds: “If Jedburgh Common Good Committee reject the funding request, the proposed layout plan will be amended to provide a new £200,000 play park for Allerley Well Park.”