Border cycling News

• Sport
• cycling
• Tour of Britain

The Scottish Government want to make 2013 all about cycling.

The Tweed Valley boasts 250 miles of Europe's best biking trails.Father and son Francis and Finn Watkins visited Glentress.

Francis said:

"We come here regularly, it's a great way to spend time with my family and get fresh air. There are great facilities here and at Innerleithen. What better way to get fit?"

• UK
• Tweed Valley
• Scottish Borders

People across the South of Scotland are being encouraged to make 2013 the year of the bike.

The Scottish government have earmarked £53 million to improve cycle paths and make them more accessible.

The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are home to the world famous 7stanes mountain biking centres.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said in his New Year message:

"I am looking forward to getting on my bike more and to doing all I can in my role as Transport Minister to make this an attractive and viable option for more people throughout Scotland.

"We are already supporting projects to make the road network more cycle-friendly and in 2013 we'll launch a refreshed Cycling Action Plan.

"This will include a target to further reduce casualties, new commitments on education, training, improved signage, consideration of cycling in roads design and greater use of 20mph zones.

"All of this will help us build on the Olympics legacy and will also go towards keeping up momentum on increasing cycling activity in Scotland ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014."

• UK
• Cycling
• South of Scotland

Campaigners behind plans to build a mountain bike chairlift say being granted planning permission is a 'huge milestone. '

Scottish Borders Council approved the project, which is set to be built close to Innerleithen.

It's claimed it will create over 100 jobs. But now the hard work begins, because it's up to a community group to raise the £5.5m pounds for the project.

• Business
• tourism
• Scottish Borders

Ian Campbell from AIMUp, the company who are developing the bike lift, says that £5.5 million is needed to fund the project:

• Business
• Ian Campbell
• AIMUp

Planning permission has been given for a mountain bike chairlift in Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders.

The project will cost around £5 million to complete and will also include a visitor centre and a toboggan run.

It's claimed it will create around 100 jobs.

Scottish Borders Council granted approval for the scheme during a meeting, but the developers will have to look at moving the entrance to the site because bats roost at the current proposed site.

"This is obviously great news for the project, Innerleithen & we believe the Scottish Borders. With planning approval, we have something tangible to progress discussions with potential funders."

• Business
• Jobs
• Innerleithen

Scottish Borders Council Planning Committee confirm approval for the Planning in Principle application for the uplift at Innerleithen.

With planning approval plans to lease forest estate land will be made before the end of the year.

• Business
• tourism
• Scottish Borders

Tara Booth: 'It was fantastic, we were dry until Bassenthwaite and we'vebeen wet ever since. Everyone was really supportive on the journey. Really proud we finished.'

• Sport
• Cumbria
• Floods

All the money raised from the event is going to the Cumbria Community Foundation which helps Cumbrians in need.

• Sport
• Cumbria
• Floods