Enhancing Mobility in Scottish Borders: New Links Facilitate Walking, Biking, and Wheelchair Access for All
Peebles, a picturesque town in the Scottish Borders, is taking significant strides towards enhancing its status as a cycling destination. The latest developments in active travel improvements reflect a strong focus on infrastructure and strategic planning, contributing to the town's growing appeal for outdoor enthusiasts and cycling tourists.
The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) recently approved a Draft Active Travel Strategy, setting the framework for future initiatives aimed at making active travel more accessible and appealing. The strategy is currently under a 10-week public consultation phase, inviting community input to help shape the town’s active travel future.
The Scottish Government's commitment to active travel is evident, with over £188 million earmarked for investment in 2025-26. This substantial funding will promote greener transport options across the country, including in major towns like Peebles. The town's active travel network is set to improve, creating safer, more accessible routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users.
Recent projects in Peebles, completed in 2024, have already made a significant impact. The creation of a new toucan crossing over the A72 and the linking of Whitestone Park into the Tweed Valley Railway Path and Tweedside Riverside walks are prime examples. These initiatives not only improve local accessibility but also reinforce Peebles’ role as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts.
The River Tweed Trail, a shared-use path connecting to wider networks, is another regional initiative benefiting Peebles. Upon completion, the Trail will deliver economic, environmental, cultural, educational, and community benefits, further cementing Peebles’ status as a cycling destination.
The improvements in Peebles are part of a proposed future rerouting of the National Cycle Network Route 1. The Trail, which starts in Moffat and finishes in Berwick-upon-Tweed where the river meets the sea, will form part of the 113-mile River Tweed Trail, due to launch in 2028.
The Scottish Government, through its funding, is connecting communities, businesses, and key services in Peebles, making active journeys easier for locals and visitors alike. These improvements enable more people to make healthy, sustainable choices for their everyday journeys, contributing to the town's appeal as a healthier and more environmentally sustainable place to live and visit.
Emilia Hanna, Head of Programme for the National Cycle Network, expressed hope that these improvements will encourage more people to travel actively. With Peebles' scenic surroundings and strategic location, the town is well-positioned to strengthen its reputation as a cycling-friendly destination.
In conclusion, Peebles is actively advancing its active travel infrastructure and strategy, supported by significant government investment and community engagement efforts. These developments will likely enhance its status as a cycling destination by making the town and its surroundings more accessible and attractive for cycling and walking. The Scottish Borders, with Peebles at its heart, continues to establish itself as one of Scotland's leading cycling destinations.
- The Draft Active Travel Strategy, approved by the Scottish Borders Council, includes a focus on health-and-wellness as it aims to make active travel more accessible and appealing, promoting fitness-and-exercise for locals and tourists.
- The improvement of the town's active travel network, designed to create safer, more accessible routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users, also contributes to environmental-science by fostering greener transport options, aligning with the Scottish Government's goals.
- The enhancement of Peebles' active travel infrastructure, with projects such as the River Tweed Trail, is not just limited to cycling but extends to lifestyle choices, making it easier for residents and visitors to make sustainable choices for their everyday journeys, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more environmentally sustainable home-and-garden life in the town.
