Monday February 16th 2026
Scottish Borders Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Work started today on an ‘active travel’ route in the Borders – backed by almost £500k of funding from Scottish Government.
Scottish Borders Council’s Active Travel and Transport Team have successfully secured Tier 2 Construction Active Travel Infrastructure Funding (ATIF) from Transport Scotland to support the next phase of construction on the Active Travel Corridor – Lauder to Oxton.
This phase, which is part of the project being delivered by SBC Design Team and SBContracts, will see around one mile of the existing core path upgraded.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to see this progress from Scottish Borders Council as it moves to the next phase of the Lauder to Oxton Active Travel Corridor, backed by over £475,000 from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund.
“This project will upgrade a key section of existing path to create a safer, fully surfaced, shared‑use route away from the busy A68. By improving connections between Lauder and Oxton, it will help make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and more attractive for everyday journeys.
“To help local authorities across the country to deliver on their ambitions, the Scottish Government is investing over £188 million in active and sustainable transport in 2025–26. In doing so, we’re helping more people to save money, improve health, and reduce emissions.”
Councillor Jenny Linehan, SBC’s executive member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said: “The construction of this phase of the Lauder to Oxton Active Travel route is a significant step toward making journeys safer and more inclusive.
“Improving accessibility for everyone in our communities is at the heart of this project, and this investment will help people of all ages and abilities move more confidently between our communities—whether they’re walking, wheeling, or cycling.
“It’s important to be clear that this work is being delivered through dedicated Transport Scotland funding for active travel, and not from council budgets. We’re committed to making the most of this national support to strengthen local connections and encourage more people to travel actively for everyday journeys.”
SBC is working closely with local landowners and appreciates their support with this phase.
Works are scheduled to be complete by the end March 2026. Path closures will be in place and public signage on display; full details of the closure are available online at – Path closures | Scottish Borders Council.
The Lauder to Oxton Active Travel Corridor was identified as a priority project in the Scottish Borders Council Active Travel Strategy, which was recently approved by council.
The benefits of active travel routes are to connect communities and key services and improve the health and wellbeing of local residents by making it easier to choose active travel, such as walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding, for everyday journeys.
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