Bridge cuts miles from rugby fans' matchday walk

Rugby fans in Hawick are celebrating after their matchday march was cut by about four miles (6km).

A new £2m footbridge, linking the Weensland and Mansfield areas of the Borders town, was officially opened this week.

Among the many hundreds who will regularly benefit from the crossing are supporters of the town's famous rugby club.

Gus Neilson, past president of Hawick RFC, said: "What in the past would have taken close to an hour to walk will now take supporters five minutes."

Rugby supporters living in the Weensland area of Hawick have for decades faced a four-mile trek to and from matchdays at Mansfield Park, or the neighbouring football ground, Albert Park.

A campaign was launched in the 1960s for a footbridge to link the two areas of the town.

Mr Neilson, who grew up on the Weensland side of the River Teviot, said: "I could see the rugby club from my house when I was growing up.

"It would take me close to an hour to walk to the ground - you had to go all the way into town and then come back out again when you'd crossed the bridge.

"This will make such a difference for all of our supporters on the other side of the river.

"We're hopeful the new bridge will encourage even more people to come over on matchdays."

Construction work began in 2020 on a major protection scheme for Hawick following several significant floods in the previous couple of decades.

An active travel network was incorporated into the £93m scheme to create safer walking and cycling routes.

When 1,800 signatures were collected for a petition at a local supermarket in one day, project bosses agreed to include a new footbridge to the north-east of the town.

Local councillor Stuart Marshall said: "This is a crossing that's been called for since the 1960s.

"Everybody is thrilled that we now have a link that allows thousands of people on this side of the river to walk over to the rugby or football grounds, as well as get to their work on the industrial estate without getting into their cars.

"A lot of people will be extremely happy."

The flood protection scheme in Hawick, which will protect about 900 businesses and residential properties along the River Teviot, is due to be completed early next year.

And the last remaining section of path for the active travel network is expected to open this autumn.

Hawick provost Clair Ramage said: "So many people have wanted this bridge for such a long time.

"I think it will be a benefit for everyone in Hawick as you can now walk or cycle from one end of the town to another without going on a road."

Although the new bridge has been completed, work is continuing on a new pedestrian "plaza" area outside Mansfield Park.

The bridge will be officially named following competitions held in local schools.