Road move for Borders to Edinburgh railway agreed

Proposals to realign the A7 road to allow the Borders to Edinburgh rail route to re-open have been agreed by planning councillors.

The works at Falahill Cottages near Heriot will see a double roundabout being created.

The scheme has provoked widespread opposition in the area.

However, Scottish Borders Council planning officers had recommended approval for the project provided a long list of conditions is met.

Councillors voted 4-3 to approve the plans.

Site investigation works recently started on reopening the line between Tweedbank and Edinburgh.

It is hoped the route will be operational by 2014.