IT’S only been open a year but Peeblesshire’s pride and joy has already become overgrown by weeds.

The £1 million multi-use pathway between Peebles and Innerleithen was opened amidst much fanfare last year.

But a health and safety stand off as well as local authority cutbacks have left the borders and bankings waist-high in nettles and thistles.

And the weeds are already encroaching onto the path.

Cyclists, family groups of walkers and horse riders are now struggling to stay safe in the narrowing track.

Ex-chairman of Peebles Cycling Club Ewen Gowrie said: “It is an accident waiting to happen. If it gets too narrow we could see riders collide head on.

“Having spent all that money on the path it would be crazy not to look after it properly.

“Less than half a day with a proper small cutting machine would have the verges tidied up.

“The worst sections are around Horsbrugh Castle and towards Innerleithen - it used to be possible to cycle two abreast.” Grasping the nettle of proper path maintenance is proving contentious.

Maintenance responsibility for the path rests with Scottish Borders Council’s Neighbourhood Services team, who are currently trying to trim £450,000 from their budgets.

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue with overgrown vegetation and our Neighbourhood Services team has been asked to attend.” But the local authority is attempting to pass some of the responsibility over to local volunteers.

The spokesperson added: “We always encourage community groups to help maintain their local environments through our Community Resilience Initiative.” A group from Innerleithen’s community trust are prepared to tidy up their end of the multi-use path.

But a row over equipment and training has led to a stand off with Scottish Borders Council.

At Innerleithen’s Community Council meeting, community trust chairman Ross McGinn said: “There is a squad of six to eight people prepared to do the work if we get the strimmers that would be needed, but I am determined that we will not do it with our own equipment.” Scottish Borders Council has proved slow to come up with money for either the strimmers or the health and safety training it believes would be necessary for volunteers to use the equipment.

Councillor Stuart Bell said: “It is a shame that a concerned group like the Community Trust has offered to take action and SBC is dragging its heels.” Innerleithen Community Council chairman Paul Faris hopes that funds can be found from somewhere to reclaim the pathway.

He said: “I will put it to the Rotary Club as I know there is money left for community projects.”