Eshiels Community Woodland - Tree Felling

Scottish Borders Council and Peebles Community Trust are pleased to advise that essential works have now been scheduled on the Tweed Valley Railway Path. Peebles Community Trust will undertake tree felling in this location with work set to take place from 12 October to 10 November 2025.

A section of the Tweed Valley Railway Path, which is also NCN1, between Glentress and Peebles will be closed to allow Peebles Community Trust to carry out tree felling in the Eshiels Community Wood, as part of their long-term improvements to the wood, under their approved woodland management plan and for Scottish Borders Council to carry out path surface repairs and improvements. The exact section of path to be closed and diversion can be found using this link: Path closures | Scottish Borders Council

A temporary diversion will be required throughout the period of path closure to connect between Glentress / Cardrona and Peebles. This will involve a section from Glentress to Eshiels adjacent to the A72. Warning and directional signage will be in place.

Path users will also be aware that the tree roots are causing ongoing path surface issues by Eshiels Community Wood. Scottish Borders Council plan to repair and improve the path surface in conjunction with the tree works to ensure a better experience for all users and to minimise the closure period.

This project has been planned to avoid the busiest period in this location and ensure planned events could take place. However – as this is a health and safety concern – we have an opportunity to carry out the works prior to the winter season. 

Completing the tree felling and path repairs in one planned project is intended to reduce future unplanned path closures and minimise disruption to path users. 

Contacts – Active Travel and Transport Team, Scottish Borders Council – activetravel@scotborders.gov.uk

 On behalf of Peebles Community Trust, Peebles Community Council and Peebles Civic Society we are delighted to announce that our application for registration of the Peebles Place Plan has been accepted by Scottish Border Council. 

Peebles Place Plan (PPP) states the community's aspirations and priorities for how we want Peebles to develop over the next 20 years. Ideas in the plan come from local townsfolk at public consultation events and builds on Peebles Community Trust's original 2016 Action Plan. 

Peebles Place Plan is registered under the Local Place Plan regulation and SBC takes it into account as part of planning policy. The Plan states our proposals for how land is developed and used within Peebles. It describes the types of changes that local people want to see. It includes a spatial vision of where changes should happen, and a map which shows where.

We have also created the Peebles Town Action Plan, which is a more detailed plan for how these changes can be brought about.

We would like to formally acknowledge the significant contribution of Crick Carlton who led the group who developed the Peebles Place Plan on behalf of the local community. 

The Peebles Town Action Plan seeks to prioritise actions that the community can support and/or undertake to build a better and more resilient community.  Many of us have spent years trying to make our town a better place to live in, work and visit. But our efforts are often hampered by a lack of co-ordination and finance and difficulties in mobilising support. An Action Plan is a way to tackle these challenges. It summarises: what Peebles is like now, how we see the future, the issues that matter most, the main priorities for action.

It’s not a mere wish list; it’s more of a “to-do” list – focus for a community’s efforts and a statement of what local people consider important. It’s a guide to what we as a community want to achieve over the next three to five years.  It’s a road map that signposts the way ahead. The Peebles Town Masterplan sets out how  the aims and aspirations of the residents of  Peebles might be achieved over the next 5 to 20 years. The Masterplan includes: 

• a vision for Peebles in the eyes of  the local community 
• an understanding of Peebles and  the influences on the town in the  past and present and into the future 
• practical advice on managing  growth in order to promote a  quality environment in which to  live, work and play 
• innovative ideas to make Peebles  sustainable for future generations 
• links to other national and local  policies so that it can be fully  integrated into the planning system 
• flexibility that enables its proposals  to adapt to changes and future  reviews 
• evidence of the community  participation that has informed the  Masterplan. 

Vision for Peebles: Principles 

Participation - involve the community in all aspects  of the town’s development. 

Environment – protect the natural environment in  and around the town and ensure that any  development of the built environment is sustainable  and matches the town’s size and character. Health and wellbeing – promote the development  of facilities and services which support the health,  safety, security and wellbeing of all residents and  visitors. 

Transport and access – promote environmentally  friendly methods of transport, greater connectivity  cross the Tweed and support well-managed traffic  and parking plans. 

Open for business – strengthen the economy of the  town by supporting existing businesses and by  attracting new businesses to the town. 

Tourism – encourage and prioritise developments  that enhance the town’s existing and potential  tourist attractions and facilities