COMMUNITY groups and individuals are being encouraged to provide feedback into potential new walking and cycling routes across the Scottish Borders as a new consultation is launched to coincide with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The Championships, which start this week, are taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland, including Glentress Forest in the Tweed Valley.

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Those attending the events in our area are encouraged to make use of existing shared paths where they can to access Glentress, including the Tweed Valley Railway Path.

Councillor Jenny Linehan, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Over a number of years, the Council has worked with partners and local communities to develop various shared paths across the region, and we want to continue to build this network to help support more active travel by our residents and visitors.

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“We are committed to developing the 113-mile Destination Tweed walking and cycling trail from Moffat to Berwick-upon-Tweed and last year we undertook some feasibility work on the potential for an off-road path between Tweedbank Railway Station and Reston Station, with potential onward connections to Coldingham and Eyemouth.

“Now we want to hear about what other routes could be created which would help link our communities and join up the existing shared path network, and understand which are viewed as priorities.”

People can submit their suggestions online via the Council’s consultation hub - https://scotborders.citizenspace.com/

The latest addition to the local shared path network is the Eddleston Water multi-use path, which was officially opened in June following the work of the local community, landowners, Scottish Borders Council and funding from the Scottish Government via Sustrans Places for Everyone and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Councillor Linehan added: “The Scottish Borders already has an incredible reputation for cycling, walking and other outdoor activities and we want the Championships to be a catalyst for positive change in the region.

“The vision of the South of Scotland Cycling Strategy, developed by the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership, is that by 2032 cycling is the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys, and is embedded into the daily fabric of the lives of residents and experiences of our visitors. Having a network of multi-use paths is part of the way we can help achieve this ambitious goal and also contribute to achieving our Net Zero targets too.”