Peeblesshire News | News | Anger over bus build-out

Wednesday, 7th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 19th October, 2007 15:00

Anger over bus build-out

By Caitlin Smith

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COMPLAINTS about congestion and parking on Innerleithen High Street have reached fever pitch.

And now a Peeblesshire councillor is calling for a residents’ survey to be carried out.

Local representative Bill Herd said it was vital residents’ views were recorded in order to gather practical information on their experiences of the problem road.

At a recent Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Traquair Community Council meeting, members voiced their objections to the bus stop build-out, claiming it caused cars to build-up behind stationary buses.

But roads manager at Scottish Borders Council, Philippa Gilhooley, said no complaints had been received from bus drivers or passengers.

She told the Peeblesshire News: “We have ever only had complaints about cars parking at the bus stop and that’s the reason we put in the build-out.

“It was difficult for the passengers, particularly the elderly or disabled to get on the bus and it wasn’t fair to them to have to negotiate between cars.”

But community councillors said the Council were ignoring their complaints with Chairman Ross McGinn suggesting someone be employed to stand on the High Street over a few days to video record various incidences.

Councillor McGinn told the Peeblesshire News: “We have a very definite problem with congestion on the High Street and this has only been worsened by the bus build-outs.

“The number of cars building up behind buses is huge – I’ve counted 17- and the congestion can take up to 10 minutes to clear.”

This difference of opinion between SBC and the community council moved Councillor Herd to suggest a survey, which could be presented to the Council.

But Ms Gilhooley said: “The bus build-out is not making it worse for cars and lorries to get along the High Street.

“It’s not an easy issue but these type of build-outs exist in villages, towns and cities across Scotland and they are widely recognised as alleviating parking problems.

“If we were to remove the build-out it would take passengers back to third rate status and at the Council we are currently trying to improve take-up of those travelling by bus.

“I have to say the only difficulty we’ve seen is people parking on the High Street and creating an obstruction.”

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