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Funds found to reopen Borders bridge to horse riders

News imageJim Barton A bridge over the River Tweed with rolling hills in the backgroundJim Barton
The Haughhead Bridge has been shut to horse riders on safety grounds

Funding has been secured to repair a Borders bridge in order to allow horse riders to cross it once more.

The Haughhead Bridge in Innerleithen is an important active travel link for people walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.

Repairs in December 2024 allowed it to reopen on a limited basis but not to horse riders due to safety concerns regarding the strength of the deck.

Now support has been found to carry out further work and it will now be able to reopen to them later this year.

The funding has come from the UK government's Community Regeneration Partnership and Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (WWCT).

Chris Brace, of the WWCT, said the group was pleased to support the repairs via a programme funded by the Scottish government.

"The bridge provides an important link to National Cycle Network Route 1, which follows the Tweed to nearby towns such as Galashiels and Melrose," he said.

"Haughhead Bridge is also a key link to the popular mountain biking trails at Innerleithen.

"Ensuring links like this are safe and accessible for all users is at the heart of our work to improve the National Cycle Network across Scotland – so that everyone can reap the benefits of getting around in active ways."