Following the successful conclusion of the one-way trial in Kelso, Scottish Borders Council has said it is to continue working with the Kelso stakeholder group to make permanent improvements and upgrades to the town centre.

The current works will bring together various strands of work including the development of the gap site between Woodmarket and Horsemarket to deliver a new transport hub, as well as new public toilets, and offices for rent. While the new proposals will include:

• renewing paths with sandstone paving
• providing specially commissioned stone benches and planters
• providing a flexible area at Innes Square for parking or community events
• improving surfaces and junctions at Simon Square and Coal Market

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"On behalf of Scottish Borders Council I should like to thank residents and businesses for their patience whilst these improvements take place."

The council has also commissioned, at the request of the stakeholder group, some new benches, which incorporate flower planters to replace the current plastic planters and wooden benches. They asked that the new planters be made in Scottish stone and the council has successfully sourced a special whinstone - a type of granite - from a quarry in the Campsies. A new public artwork will also be sited at the front of the Town Hall.

Additionally, the Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative aims to regenerate the historic centre of the Kelso Conservation Area through the provision of grant funding to eligible properties for external repairs, and complementary initiatives such as upgrading of the public realm and education and training opportunities.

The project is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and Scottish Borders Council and runs until March 2015. The building repairs ongoing are enhancing the look of the town, as well as securing the historic fabric of some of the town’s important buildings for the future.

(JP/MH)