Consulation on Galashiels campus nears end

However, several people have reported problems submitting their views online in Scottish Borders Council’s form, saying it will not accept their comments unless they have input a valid email address, even though they say they have done so.

It’s been a fairly controversial programme from the start, with the council's preferred option three of five taking up a swathe of the neighbouring Scott Park, and several social media groups have sprung up, such as the Save Scott Park Facebook page, which has over 1,000 members.

However, all four of the town’s councillors say they are in favour of that option, which would allow the building of the new campus take place while the existing Galashiels Academy remains open.

The council is pushing that option, despite it being unpopular, believing it to be the best way of ensuring the build is done safely, to budget, and without compromising the pupils’ education.

Extra video content, featuring an animated flyover to demonstrate how the proposed new campus building would be incorporated into the existing Galashiels Academy space, has now been added to the consultation space, and can be viewed at www.scotborders.gov.uk/galacampus

This compliments the existing videos that sit on the consultation site including interviews with pupils and members of the community and animated illustrations of what the campus may look like when completed.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, executive member for children and young people, said: “The feedback we receive during this part of the process is vitally important in helping shape the final plans for the campus.

“The new campus will be designed with everyone in mind and we’re extremely keen to get the views from people across all parts of the community before the deadline.”

Along with the online interactive consultation, exhibition boards have been installed at Galashiels Transport Interchange to promote the various proposals to the wider community.