A GROUP has been formed in a bid to transform community woodland in Galashiels.

The Gala Polices Group was set up to make the area accessible for wheelchair users and clamp down on antisocial behaviour.

And it was invited to became an official sub group at the latest meeting the town’s community council.

Bonnie Fairbrass, chairwoman of the Gala Policies Group, said: “We are approaching the community council to become a sub group because it ticks all the boxes.

“We want to be able to engage with the schools and the youth.

“It is rare to have such beautiful woodland in the centre of a town and we are currently not making the most of it.

“A lot of young people are so disengaged with nature and this is a good opportunity to get them on board.

“We want to make the Gala Policies wheelchair accessible, because it is a wonderful spot.

“There are no wheelchair accessible woodlands in Scotland. We also think the space could be used to improve mental health.”

The group also hopes by getting youngsters involved, it will clamp down on underage drinking and antisocial behaviour in the area.

Ms Fairbrass added: “I live near the Policies and we feel there should be a warden to cover Scott Park and the Policies.

“Being part of the community council will hopefully give us a little bit more clout – as we are often ignored as we were not previously considered a formal group.

“We want to softly, softly make a noise.”

Members of the community council agreed to make the organisation a sub group and suggested it also looked at making improvements at the Langlee Woodland.

Local councillor Euan Jardine (Cons) called for action at the Polices earlier this year.

He said: “I am more than willing to help. The community council will give the group more clout and I know Langlee Primary School has been in touch to get more actively involved up there too.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, the community council also welcomed Resilient Gala as a sub group.

It will offer help to the community in emergencies such as floods and adverse weather conditions.

Chairwoman Judith Cleghorn said: “It is excellent that we have these two new sub groups on our community council.

“These have both been set up to benefit our community and I would like to say thank you to all of those involved.”