Thursday June 4th 2026
Scottish Borders Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Plans for a new bridge near a Borders village in Tweeddale have been rubber-stamped by Scottish Borders Council.
The Kingledores bridge is to be constructed across the Benshaw burn, west of Patervan Cottage in Broughton.
As part of the Destination Tweed project, SBC is required to provide a series of footbridges for the rejuvenation of the Tweed Trail.
Historically, there was a bridge across Benshaw burn at this location as part of the old Edinburgh to Talla railway line.
Currently there is no bridge, but the previous masonry abutments and wing-walls still exist.
Kingledores footbridge is to form part of the rejuvenated Tweed Trail.
Various users of the bridge are to include pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and local farmers with quad bikes. Disabled access must also be considered.
Destination Tweed will transform the River Tweed into a tourist destination of national and international significance as one of the UK’s great long-distance walking and cycling routes through the creation of the trail.
Investment will provide opportunities for local people and visitors alike to enjoy the river, whether they traverse the route in short segments or in full.
The aim is that the trail will offer a “spectacular, memorable and meaningful journey”, while connecting communities, wildlife, sites and stories.
In his report approving the bridge application, SBC planning officer Stuart Small states: “The proposed footbridge bridge will form part of the wider Destination Tweed Project which seeks to transform the River Tweed into a tourist destination of national and international significance.
“The proposed bridge will promote active travel and will be constructed over existing infrastructure which previously supported a railway bridge.
“The site is within the Tweedsmuir Uplands Special Landscape Area (SLA) but the erection of the proposed bridge is not considered to pose a significant adverse threat to the qualities for which the SLA was designated and I acknowledge the purpose of the bridge is to encourage visitors and local people to explore the area.
“Overall, subject to compliance with conditions, the proposed development is considered to have a negligible visual impact.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
