(Image: Supplied)
A new road junction has been completed on the A7 between Hawick and Selkirk to serve the planned Center Parcs Scottish Borders holiday village.
The junction will provide the main access route to the development and marks an early construction milestone for the new holiday destination.
Center Parcs. (Image: Supplied)
It connects the A7 to a 2.5km entrance road that will eventually be used by guests arriving at the village.
The work forms part of a wider programme of enabling works being delivered by contractor RJ McLeod, which also includes car park construction.
Center Parcs said the junction had been completed on schedule, following roadworks that affected people travelling between Hawick and Selkirk.
The company added that the new access route would support safe and efficient access as construction of the village progresses.
Center Parcs currently operates six holiday villages in the UK and Ireland: Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire and Longford Forest in Ireland.
The company has more than 35 years of experience developing and operating family short-break destinations. It reports average annual occupancy of 97%, with 65% of guests returning for repeat visits, and employs around 10,500 people in permanent, non-seasonal roles.
Colin McKinlay. (Image: Supplied)
Center Parcs has pointed to the economic impact of its Longford Forest village in Ireland as an indication of the potential benefits for Scotland.
In the last financial year, the business supported 1,020 full-time equivalent jobs across the Irish economy and generated €37 million in wages. It also contributed €58 million in gross value added and €23 million in Exchequer revenue in Ireland.
The company expects the Scottish Borders development to deliver similar economic benefits.
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Colin McKinlay, chief executive of Center Parcs, said: "Completion of the A7 junction is a positive step forward for Center Parcs Scottish Borders.
"It is one of the most visible signs of progress so far and will play an essential role in providing safe and efficient access as construction moves ahead.
"I would like to thank local people, businesses, and everyone travelling between Hawick and Selkirk for their patience during the works.
"We recognise that roadworks can affect daily journeys, and we greatly appreciate the understanding shown while this important part of the project was delivered.
"We are pleased that the junction has been completed on schedule.
"My thanks also go to RJ McLeod and everyone involved in delivering the work.
"This is a very early step in the creation of the new village, but reaching milestones like this brings us one step closer to welcoming our first guests.
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with our neighbours and communities across the Borders as the village takes shape."