Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker, Paul McGirk, chief executive of Hub South East Scotland, and Morrison Construction’s Alastair Sutherland were at the site on Friday to acknowledge the commencement of the works.

The Galashiels Transport Interchange will connect the Borders Railway with a new bus station as well as directing footfall into the centre of the town. The project started in September 2013 with the re-routing of Stirling Street, improvements to the riverside walkway, a new car park and the creation of a new civic space adjacent to the B&M car park.

It is expected that the building phase will take just over 12 months, allowing time for the Transport Interchange to become operational ahead of the opening of the Borders Railway in autumn 2015.

Counil leader David Parker said: “I am delighted to see the start of the works for the Galashiels Transport Interchange. The Transport Interchange will be a landmark building for Borderers and visitors travelling to and from the Borders Railway next year.

“Its connection to the new bus station ties into the council’s long term aim to promote better connections between all means of sustainable transport.”

The project is delivered by SBC’s development partner Hub South East Scotland and its appointed contractor Morrison Construction

Hub South East Scotland chief executive Paul McGirk added: “We’re delighted that work is now beginning on site.

“The Hub initiative is about enabling the delivery of better and more integrated public services, so we’re proud to be working with Scottish Borders Council, contributing to the delivery of a major Scottish infrastructure project which will deliver real benefits to the local community and beyond.”

Eddie Robertson, regional director of Morrison Construction said: “We are tremendously proud to be delivering this major infrastructure project on behalf of Hub South East Scotland and Scottish Borders Council.

“Morrison Construction takes its responsibilities to the communities it operates within very seriously and we have already been in close consultation with local residents about the extent of the work, have held a ‘meet the buyer’ event and look forward to creating employment and training opportunities for local people wherever possible.”

The Galashiels TI is financed by SBC and the European Regional Development Fund, the latter providing £1.8m of the project funding.