FUNDING has been approved for a Peeblesshire pump track, with work set to start next spring.

Plans for a pump track in Walkerburn can now race ahead after funding from Sport Scotland Cycling Facilities Fund and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) was confirmed.

Construction of the track will begin in April 2024.

The pump track will welcome community and youth groups, as well as users on bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates.

Project manager Charlie Trousdell from Walkerburn Community and Development Trust (WCDT) said: "This funding boost is fantastic news for the community.

"We wanted to provide a much-needed, fun, free, community resource for the children (and adults) of the village that will encourage more people to take part in physical exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

"Last year WCDT held a survey among villagers to gauge opinion on the proposal and the response was overwhelmingly positive."

The funding news has also been welcomed by independent Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler.

Mr Tatler said: "Congratulations to WCDT for their work in taking this from an idea that came out of a community fair to identify what local people wanted through to reality.

"Myself and the other local councillors are delighted that funding from SBC is helping to make this happen and that our team will be working with WCDT to deliver the project.

"Thanks also go to Sport Scotland for their major funding contribution – without which this would not be possible.

"We all look forward to this facility opening next year and can be sure it will be well used by locals and visitors alike."

Two basketball hoops and a set of football goals will also be included in the development as part of a wider upgrade of multi-use games facilities in the village.

Emma Guy, a WCDT member and project manager for the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships at Glentress, has said the pump track will help make cycling more accessible to non-bikers.

She said: "The pump track at Walkerburn will be a great asset for beginners and local kids and is a missing piece of the Tweed Valley biking jigsaw.

"We are looking forward to hosting local groups and lessons on the track and getting Walkerburn pedalling."

The pump track will be built on the playing fields at the far end of Tweedholm Avenue and work is expected to take six to eight weeks.

The existing football pitch will be retained and basketball hoops are being installed.

SBC will manage the works and will oversee the maintenance of the pump track.