Network Rail has said "crucial" bridge works are set to get underway as part of the Borders to Edinburgh railway project.

As a result, road closures are to be put in place in Galashiels.

According to reports, the Wheatlands Road in the area will be closed until midnight on Monday as a large crane lifts the structure into place. This will be followed by the closure of the Currie Road. It will be closed for five weeks to allow the "complex construction" needed for the bridge to be undertaken, the transport authority has said. Pedestrians will be able to use a new temporary footpath around the working area, it added.

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Hugh Wark, Project Director with Network Rail, explained: "The bridge at Wheatlands Road is a crucial part of the Borders Railway, allowing trains to travel into Galashiels and then on to Tweedbank.

"While we have constructed the bulk of this new bridge without impacting traffic movements, the final lift will require an exclusion zone. We apologise for the inconvenience while we crane the bridge into place."

Stuart Mackay, Communications Manager for contractor BAM, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "The new bridge on Currie Road is a complex engineering task because of the angle of the bridge over the road, a bridge span of 40m, and the need to weld together multiple sections.

"Vehicles will be able to use Glenfield Crescent and Melrose Road as a diversion and a temporary footpath will be available for pedestrians."

(JP)