A PEEBLES mountain bike star has added her voice to support for an £11.3 million plan which would bring new trails and jobs to Glentress.

As previously reported in the Peeblesshire News, Forest Enterprise Scotland and Forest Holidays have joined forces with plans to create 56 secluded eco-cabins, a new mountain biking skills area and trails, and a walking route.

The project aims to inject £1 million into the local economy each year and create up to 60 new jobs.

Speaking from Canada, Katy Winton, who recently rose to second in the Enduro World Series rankings, told the Peeblesshire News: “This area is absolutely buzzing with bike riding. People travel from around the world to ride here already, so any investment into new trails is definitely a positive. 

“With more walking tracks and these cabins it’ll bring more people into the outdoors which I’m all for. We live in such a beautiful area it’s great to give people opportunities to enjoy it. 

The 23-year-old added: “I just hope that this investment won’t be the last and the trails that already exist in both Glentress and Innerleithen will be maintained/revamped to keep this area a real draw to the ever-growing worldwide mountain bike community.” 

News of the plans has also been praised by local businesses and groups.
Neil Dalgleish, from Peebles-based event business Hillside Outside, which runs the annual TweedLove and Tour O’ The Borders events, said: “I really believe it’s positive news all round. 

“New trails will replace and improve on what’s being lost to the lodge construction, and no work will begin on the lodges until those new trails are complete.

“Pretty much everyone wants more and better bike trails at Glentress, including the Forestry Commission team, and this development seems to be a way of finally achieving that. 

“Forest Holidays have to contribute significant funds towards the new trails, and their investment has also opened the door to otherwise unavailable public investment to make improvements at Glentress.

“A lot of work has already gone into what new trail-building can be done and from what I know, it’s genuinely exciting. 

“I hope I’m not being too optimistic, but I think over the next few years we might see Glentress being reborn and better than it’s ever been.

“The near future looks bright, with this news alongside some other excellent potential developments in the bike community and infrastructure – things are starting to look good just now.”

Chairman of Innerleithen Cycle Club, Duncan Nisbet, said: “An investment of this magnitude into the Tweed Valley has to be welcomed, especially in terms of job creation and the potential economic benefit to the area. 

“While it is obviously disappointing to lose some of the bike trails to make way for the development, it also creates an opportunity to provide exciting new trails and hopefully some TLC for the existing network.

“Forest Enterprise Scotland is engaged with local bike clubs including Innerleithen Cycle Club and we very much look forward to working with them on the plans.”

A planning application for the woodland cabins, plus new walking and mountain bike trails has been submitted to SBC.