More than £3 million is being invested to regenerate Gorebridge town centre and to redevelop a disused building at Newtongrange railway station in Midlothian.

The town projects, 'Gorebridge Connected' and the Track2Train initiative in Newtongrange, have secured £3.437m of funding from a variety of sources to develop the schemes.

The Borders Railway Blueprint Programme, set up to maximise the economic opportunities of the line supported by £10m of Scottish Government money, has also agreed match funding of £1,038,000 for 'Gorebridge Connected' and a further £191,000 for the Track2Train initiative.

Features of the 'Gorebridge Connected' project includes;

• The former Gorebridge Railway Station House redeveloped into a cafe, gallery and office space, creating 4-5 full time jobs with a year and 10-15 employment opportunities in the two upstairs offices

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• Hunter Square enhanced

• The development of a heritage and signage project to connect Hunter Square and Gorebridge train station with other parts of Gorebridge and beyond

Midlothian Council is also working with Track2Train, a charity established by, and closely associated with, Apex Scotland to redevelop the Newtongrange station building, currently owned by the ScotRail Alliance.

The building will be turned into a new hub and bistro featuring community space and, through Apex Scotland, which works with people in the criminal justice system, it will also offer excellent training opportunities for ex-offenders and those at risk of offending.

Other features will include a cafe, office space, a learning centre, IT suite and a flexible meeting space for community groups.

Cllr Russell Imrie said: "We're absolutely thrilled to get both of these projects over the line financially. An awful lot of people from both within the council and our partner agencies, including neighbouring authorities along the Borders Railway line and ScotRail, have worked extremely hard to tap into various funding sources.

"We're keen now to get cracking and get these projects underway for the benefit of our local communities."

(LM)