Monday February 2nd 2026
Footbridge in 2024
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A pro-active Borders village community is celebrating after work started on a new footbridge which will help cross a problematic divide.
Construction of the footbridge in Clovenfords began at the end of last week.
After three years of preparation and fund-raising, the structure will give access to the village’s playing field.
Though Scottish Borders Council own the land, Clovenfords & District Community Council decided in 2022 that the best way to get a new footbridge was to initiate a project themselves.
Support from the SBC Neighbourhood funds paid for a design and the necessary surveys to achieve planning permission, and the new design eliminates a steep stairway to give level access for prams and wheelchairs, as well as able-bodied adults and children.
“It was becoming very obvious that the old bridge had deteriorated beyond repair,” said Stuart Bell, the CC’s vice-chair who has led the project.
“Not only was there a weight restriction but the foundations were becoming undermined.
“It was a struggle for our wee CC team to complete all the funding applications, but The Fallago Environment Fund gave us a great boost when in 2024 they offered to grant us up to £50,000, and last year The Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme – managed locally by SBC – offered us up to £111,105.
“Our funding applications needed a clear demonstration of local community support – but that was easily achieved when we rapidly raised over £1800 in local donations, and the village school wrote to say that they couldn’t safely access the playing field over the old bridge, but were keen to use the field for outdoor activities.
“We are also pleased that Scottish Borders Council will now manage the rebuild and have committed to maintain the new structure.”
Speaking on behalf of the Fallago Environment Fund, His Grace The Duke of Roxburghe said: “It’s great to see the construction of the Caddonfoot footbridge underway.
“The bridge will provide safe access to the village playing field and recreation area for local residents, school children and anyone using wheelchairs of pushchairs.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see funds from the Fallago Rig windfarm being used to support the community in this way.”
The Fallago Environment Fund shares the benefits of the Fallago Rig wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills with projects across the Scottish Borders and is financed by Roxburghe Estates, Federated Hermes and EDF power solutions UK.
The works are estimated to take six to eight weeks, and an access restriction is currently in force on the adjacent Caddonfoot Road.
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