Funding boost at the double for Hawick park project

Hawick's Wilton Lodge Park revamp project has been given a funding boost at the double, landing two handouts totalling £120,000 to promote its use by cyclists.
Hawick's Wilton Lodge Park.Hawick's Wilton Lodge Park.
Hawick's Wilton Lodge Park.

Sustainable transport charity has put up £100,000 to improve the surface of the park’s footways, as well as upgrading its lighting and signage.

A further £20,000 has been added by the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund, also to promote cycling in the park.

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The two awards have been match-funded by Scottish Borders Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund’s project partnership, taking the total available to improve it as a destination for cyclists to £240,000.

That work is just part of an ongoing five-year revamp of the 43-hectare park costing £3.6m.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor David Paterson, also the council’s executive member for environmental services, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been offered extra funding for Wilton Lodge Park.

“There has already been a massive investment to encourage more visitors to come to our award-winning park since the project started back in 2013 with the new bandstand, play park, café, bridge and walled garden.

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“Hopefully, this further investment will encourage the park to be used even more, and enjoyed by locals and the many visitors that come to our park from all over Britain and further afield.

“I would like to thank everyone that helped make this yet another win for Hawick.”

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the authority’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, added: “Wilton Lodge Park has played a significant role in the community and the history of Hawick over the years, and this additional funding boost is fantastic news for the town.

“The extra funding will go towards making yet further improvements to the park to allow a safe cycling route through better footways, lighting and signage.

“This will link in well with the Hawick flood scheme, where we are also hoping to create a cycleway through the town.”