A “FUNCTIONAL repair” will take place on a footbridge which closed after a pony’s hoof went through its deck.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) said it expected work at Haughhead bridge, which crosses the River Tweed near Innerleithen, to start this month.

Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas said the local authority continued to look for funding for a permanent solution.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The bridge serves as [an] important link for active travel in the area and funding has been allocated to make functional repairs to the bridge.

“The work will take approximately three weeks to carry out and this is anticipated to begin later this month.”

Nicola Philip, of Haughhead Stables, was lucky to escape serious injury when her pony’s hoof went through the bridge surface at the end of August.

Ms Philip contacted the council and the following Monday barriers were put in place closing the bridge.

After some pressure on SBC – which failed to find the cash to improve the bridge after its condition was raised at community council meetings back in 2022 – it announced it would make repairs.

The spokesperson added: “An inspection of Haughhead bridge took place immediately after the council was made aware of safety concerns and confirmed deterioration of the bridge itself.

“From a road safety perspective, improvements will be made to the current road markings and new speed limit signage also being installed to surrounding roads in the area.”

Ms Philip described the announcement as “fantastic news”, adding: “Hopefully we can get back to using it and feel safe again.

“Thanks to the Peeblesshire News for all its support.”

Mr Douglas said: “I am pleased that the council has secured funding to carry out essential repairs, to allow the bridge to open for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The council continues to examine other sources of funding and structural assessments to enable a permanent solution.”