A seven-year project to complete a road in a Borders town has ended successfully.

The £12m Galashiels project consisted of an inner relief road at Ladhope Vale, where two-way traffic last travelled nearly to decades ago.

The project began in 2005 with an assessment of public opinion and the first phase of works was opened in April 2008, before the project hit some small delays when diverting gas lines.

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The road was opened to two-way traffic today at 6am and Scottish Borders Council hoped it would ease congestion.

The relief road allows through traffic to access the A7 and A72.

Scottish Borders Council said it would "provide the opportunity for environmental benefits for residents, visitors and businesses" but asked road users to be "patient and considerate" while drivers got used to the new layout.

Police and council workers are on hand all day today to direct traffic on the road's first day open.

Project manager Ewan Doyle thanked the public and businesses in Galashiels for their "patience and understanding" while the work was going on.

(NE/GK)