AMBITIOUS plans to build a new outdoor activities park near Innerleithen, which it is claimed would transform tourism in the Tweed Valley, could finally get off the ground in summer 2017.

Earlier this year the Peeblesshire News reported that proposals for a mountain bike chairlift, toboggan run and visitor centre near Innerleithen had not been shelved - despite claims it was not viable.

Gordon Donald, chairman of AIMUp (Action for the Innerleithen Mechanical Uplift), presented his vision for the project to community councillors in Peebles last week and insisted it is “alive and kicking”.

He revealed he was now hopeful of private investment for the project after recruiting a financier and revealed he hoped the development would encourage more people to stay in the area for longer and cement the area’s reputation as one of the best destinations for mountain biking in the world.

Addressing members of Peebles Community Council at this month’s meeting in the Old Burgh Chamber, Mr Donald said: “Where we are just now is we haven’t found that investment, which is no surprise (in the current climate). But we do have interest from private investors and agreed a development plan.”

And he added: “We feel the need for a facility of this kind is more urgent than ever.”

Planning permission for a mountain bike chairlift in the Borders was approved in December 2012.

The equipment, which resembles a fairground rollercoaster, can take up to 1,200 people an hour up the steep wooded slopes near Traquair to the courses, which are acknowledged as among the most challenging in Europe.

But the developers - who comprise local businesses, mountain bikers and residents of Innerleithen, Traquair, Walkerburn and Cardrona - need to raise upwards of £5 million to get it off the ground.

Mr Donald added: “There’s an awful lot of work going on behind the scenes. We’ve now got a financier on board and we might see something come of that very soon.”

When asked how soon his vision could become a reality, Mr Donald replied: “On what we know now, we are looking at summer 2017.

“I thought it might have been open before now.”

But he added: “If we get some follow through on the private interest, hopefully it will be sooner.”