MOTORISTS will face disruption and delays on the A72 near Innerleithen to allow for flood repairs.

Heavy rain caused a drain running beneath the road near Caerleebank Equestrian Centre to collapse - leading to severe flooding over several days.

And after a van crashed near the site last Friday, local resident Nick Edwardson called on Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to fix the problem.

Nick, who lives near the A72 in Innerleithen, addressed the town’s Community Council meeting on Monday, saying: “This is a matter which I first raised on December 23, and then there was an accident on January 3.

“I’m trying to get the roads department to do something meaningful before there is another accident.

“There are road signs warning of the flooding but they are too close to the body of water. I have heard people say they can’t see them.” On Friday, a bakery van driver escaped with minor injuries after his vehicle slid off the main carriageway just after 6am.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service suspect the incident may have been caused by the wet road conditions.

Fire cews from Innerleithen and Peebles were called out, and the man was treated at the scene by ambulance workers.

Innerleithen and Dsitrict Community Council Secretary Ruth Kerr said: “The van was battered on the side, but the screen was intact.” Community Councillor George Brown added: “It must have done a somersault, as it ended up on the other side of the fence.” The flood warning signs have since been moved, and SBC is preparing to replace the drain, according to the local authority’s Infrastructure Manager, Colin Ovens.

He said: “Due to the recent spell of heavy rain, a drain running under the A72 near Caerleebank Equestrian Centre collapsed, resulting in extensive carriageway flooding on the east bound carriageway. “Flood warning signs were erected either side of the flooding to warn motorists of the hazard, however it has been suggested by the local community that the flood warning signs be repositioned to give motorists more warning of the impending danger.

“The repositioning of the flood warning signs has now been carried out.

He added: “Works have also been instructed to carry out a more extensive repair to the collapsed culvert which will involved excavating the carriageway and replacing the damaged drain.

“These works will be carried out imminently.”