Morrison Construction, the appointed contractor for the Galashiels Transport Interchange, has said the project is already delivering benefits to the local community.

Construction work has been ongoing on the £5.2m scheme for the last four months and is scheduled for completion in June 2015, ahead of the Borders Railway opening that September.

Among the benefits are an education and training programme which has been agreed by the Scottish Borders Council (SBC), hub South East Scotland and Morrison Construction. The programme is designed to deliver a range of activities within the local area which will help support young people.

The activities include work experience opportunities for pupils at five secondary schools in the Borders region, while bricklaying, joinery and plumbing students from Borders College have also been awarded work placements on the scheme. A number of site visits are also scheduled, and safety talks have been carried out by Morrison Construction at a number of local primary schools.

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Councillor Stuart Bell, Executive Member for Economic Development at SBC, commented: "While it is good to see the progress of the physical building of the Galashiels Transport Interchange, which will direct footfall into the centre of the town, it is also very pleasing to hear of the spin-off educational benefits.

"The Council is committed to supporting local communities across the Borders throughout the construction and delivery of the Transport Interchange and the educational and training programme shows that pledge is being fulfilled.

"When the Transport Interchange is completed there will be an opportunity for a business to open a café in the interchange itself, there will be office space available to let within the building and of course the provision of better connections between all means of sustainable transport."

Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of hub South East Scotland Ltd, added: "One of the key aims of the Hub initiative is to ensure the delivery of community benefits locally. This includes a commitment to involving young people, through work experience, training and educational visits.

"It's fantastic to see this happening on the Galashiels Transport Interchange project, giving real opportunities for learning and practical experience to those at school and college in the Borders."

Alice Harley, Project Skills Coordinator, Morrison Construction, said: "Bridging the gap between education and employment is a crucial factor to aid sustainable economic recovery. Morrison Construction takes its responsibilities to the communities it operates within very seriously and ensures that we provide maximum community benefit to the people in the local area."

(JP/MH)