Thursday January 15th 2026
Glenfield Footbridge
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The £850k replacement of a Victorian footbridge in Galashiels has been approved.
Glenfield Footbridge is an existing steel structure spanning the Gala Water located between Glenfield Road East and Huddersfield Street.
It is one of a number of strategic bridge crossing locations throughout Galashiels allowing pedestrian connectivity north and south of the river.
The existing footbridge spans approximately 30 metres with evidence indicating it was constructed prior to 1899.
But with a narrow width of only 1.2 metres and two perpendicular turns, the structure does not comply with modern design guidance for active travel routes.
The Glenfield Footbridge is also in a poor and deteriorating state, with multiple defects that are no longer considered feasible to repair.
Now an application to Scottish Borders Council for a replacement footbridge and associated works on land north west of the former allotments in Huddersfield Street have been rubber-stamped.
SBC has secured £850,000 from the Community Regeneration Partnership to deliver a replacement footbridge.
A report with the planning bid stated: “This funding represents a significant opportunity to remove the existing structure, which is nearing the end of its serviceable life, and to construct a modern, fit-for-purpose bridge that meets current design standards for active travel.
“By providing a safe, accessible, and compliant crossing, the new structure will ensure that this essential link is maintained and improved for future generations.
“The new bridge cross section will have a minimum width of 3.5m between the pedestrian parapets offering a significant improvement to the existing bridge.”
Carlos Clarke, SBC’s lead planning officer, said: “The development will replace an existing bridge described as not meeting modern standards and not capable of cost-effective repair.
“The proposal will improve opportunities for active travel and, though encroaching a little into an employment land allocation to the west, this will not materially affect the value of this allocation. Ultimately, the proposal will contribute positively to pedestrian and cycle access.”
A detailed street lighting layout will be developed for the scheme. It is proposed that additional lighting columns are placed on the southern approach with the ducting housed in the footpath construction to provide continuous illumination across the bridge, where currently there is a dark spot along the route.
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