Peeblesshire News | News | Muddy waters over Walkerburn path

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 29th August, 2008 12:30

Muddy waters over Walkerburn path

By David O'Leary

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Weary Walkerburn residents have demanded action over a pathway, after recent downpours turned it into a fast flowing river.

The path in question leads down from the bus stop on the A72 into the houses at the east end of Tweedholm Avenue.

Homeowners in the area have been calling for its repair for several years now as heavy rains have washed the path away.

Due to its position on a slope, rainwater rushes down the slope flooding the homes and gardens of exasperated locals.

Numerous phone calls have been made to Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Borders Housing Association in an attempt to figure out who owns the land.

Local resident, Charles Hannah, 131 Tweedholm Avenue said: “I’ve lived here for over 42 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it, the water has been right up to my front door. To be honest I’m sick of complaining.

“Myself and all the other elderly residents around here can never use that path to get to the bus stop. It’s treacherous!”

Linda Gilchrist, 135 Tweedholm Avenue, regularly uses the path to get to the bus stop.

She said: “I work at Baguette Express in Galashiels and use the path every day. When it rains my garden gets flooded and then in winter the track is frozen with ice and snow.

“Someone will have to break their neck up there before anything gets done about it.”

Stevie Smith, lives at 133 Tweedholm Avenue with his wife, Alison and their sons, Ethan, 4, and Samuel, 7. He said: “We have to climb up a mud track to get the bus and once any rain comes it just turns into a burn. It floods the front garden and then after that you’re tracking mud into the house for weeks.

Kerry Holness who lives at 143 Tweedholm Avenue with his wife Carol has also had enough. He added: “All the elderly residents around here have to walk the length of the avenue to get the bus. This adds almost 10-15 mins to their journey. It’s not a path up there but a riverbed.”

The dispute between SBC and SBHA stems from the purchase of the council’s housing stock by SBHA in 2003.

Along with houses, SBHA also took over various liabilities such as land, unadopted roads and footpaths. However, the valuation was supposed to take account of the future cost of these liabilities.

SBHA has now raised a legal claim versus SBC, as they believe these liabilities were transferred without there being sufficient provision for their maintenance.

The path at Tweedholm Avenue is an example of this and both authorities are in discussions to find a resolution to this problem.

In the meantime, an SBHA spokesperson said: “It is not in the interests of SBHA for there to be ongoing hazards to public safety. Therefore we will be seeking the council’s agreement to carry out, in the near future, sufficient works to make the path safe.”

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