Repair works will not prove bridge too far at key location

Scottish Borders Council’s engineers are about to start repairs to the Teviot Bridge on the A699 near Kelso, with the work set to continue into January and February.

No-one was injured in the collision at the beginning of the year and it caused no structural damage.

The category-A Listed structure with three arches, built in 1795, was not closed after the accident but traffic lights were put in place which have reduced the stretch of road to one lane, resulting in some inconvenience.

Kelso and District councillor Euan Robson said the delay in carrying out the repairs was due to a number of factors and he believes townsfolk will be relieved that the work is finally to be carried out.

He said: “My understanding is that although the work needed does not look that great to the layman it is in fact extensive and difficult to achieve.

“Scaffolding will need to go up which is complex and hard to build given the location and the river below.

“The underside of the arch will need to be carefully inspected to see if there is any damage not obvious from below at ground level.

“Restoration work would have started earlier but for Covid lockdowns. There was also very complicated design work on the scaffolding which will incidentally take two working weeks to erect to ensure the health and safety of engineers carrying out the repairs. I am grateful to the council’s structural engineers for the care and attention given to this historic and indeed beautiful structure which provides a vital link with St Boswells and the A68.”