The laying of rail tracks for the 30-mile Borders to Edinburgh railway scheme has reached the Scottish Borders region.

It is the first time tracks have been placed in the Borders for 45 years, and marks the completion of the rail installation process in Midlothian.

Tracks are now in place over a number of iconic structures in the Borders area, including the 23-arch Lothianbridge Viaduct near Newtongrange and the new Hardengreen Bridge.

With the rail completed in Midlothian, the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has said it is being used to transport engineering vehicles. The first vehicles to use the track are specialist trains involved in completing the track laying process, installing ballast and undertaking "tamping", which involves packing the ballast under the rail and sleepers.

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The vehicles will continue to move south through the Borders as the project progresses and is expected to reach Tweedbank towards the end of next month.

Councillor David Parker, Scottish Borders Council Leader, said: "Seeing the rails enter the Scottish Borders brings home the reality that trains will be running along the railway next September.

"The Scottish Borders is just months away from reaping the benefits of this investment that will encourage more visitors to our many attractions as well as boost the economic health of our towns and villages."

Hugh Wark, Network Rail Project Director, added: "This is a significant day, both for the Scottish Borders, which is seeing the rails extending into its boundaries for the first time in 45 years, and for Midlothian, with rail installation now completed through the area.

"Significantly, we've also reached the highest point of the route at Falahill Summit."

(JP/CD)