Joint campus schemes move forward

Galashiels plan launched 'Super campus' work starts

Two joint campus schemes in Dumfries and Galashiels have moved a step closer to realisation.

The first sod has been cut on the £37m "super campus" site for the new Dumfries and Galloway College.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen is set to officially launch a £31m collaboration between Borders College and Heriot-Watt University.

Both schemes are seen as having a vital role in the educational future of the south of Scotland.

They hope to be operational by 2008.

Other institutions

The Dumfries site - on the Crichton campus - is to replace the existing Dumfries and Galloway College at Heathhall.

When completed it will cater for 6,000 students alongside the other institutions already on site.

The Borders initiative will see both institutions share occupancy of the refurbished Netherdale site.

It is also intended that there will be increasing collaboration in the development and delivery of educational provision.