The final phase to lay track for a highly-anticipated rail link between the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh is underway.

Work commenced on the project today (12 January), following a break over the Christmas period.

It is thought the rail installation machine will now reach its final destination of Tweedbank early next month.

Since October 2014, around 34 miles of track – including three double track sections – have been laid on the route.

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Welcoming the progress, Hugh Wark, Project Director, Network Rail, said: "This final phase of the rail installation works will see the final five miles of the route completed between Ferniehurst and Tweedbank.

"Once the rail is fully installed much of the construction support deliveries will be able to be taken off the roads and delivered directly down the route by rail.

"This means that residents and road users should see the number of Heavy Goods Vehicles and plant machinery on the roads reduced in the coming months."

He added: "We still have a lot of work to carry out ahead of the project's summer completion date but we are at a very exciting point in the project, with only eight months to go until the line is fully operational."

(JP/CD)