LOCAL councillors have formally written to the Deputy Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Council in a bid to extend the 30mph limit near Innerleithen to include Caerlee Corner.

Eight accidents have occurred at the notorious bend in the past 12 months, but road officials have so far rejected appeals to change the speed limit.

The section of road was included in a speed limit review last summer but was deemed unsuitable for such a measure.

National guidelines suggest that speed restrictions of this nature are only to be introduced on main roads where there are entrances or exits, and as such, Carelee Corner doesn't fulfil the criteria.

Now, Tweeddale councillors Stuart Bell, Graham Garvie and Gavin Logan have decided to write to the Deputy Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Council, with the aim of having the matter go before the Tweeddale Area Forum.

Speaking at this month's Innerleithen Community Council meeting, Stuart Bell – who is also part of the A72 Action Group said: “The three councillors have had a couple of conversations about this subject, and we have taken the decision that we are going to write to the Deputy Chief Executive, and request that a report is brought to the area forum, examining the proposal that the 30 mile an hour limit should be moved.

“If the three councillors request a report, then the Deputy Chief Executive is expected to produce a report.”

Mr Bell later told the Peeblesshire News: “So far we have have discussed the matter with roads officers informally and at public meetings. In other words, we have asked officers what their opinion was and they have told us their opinion.

“And the officers have expressed some reservations about moving the 30 mile an hour limit, but we as councillors have decided we want to push the issue.

“So we want to move past an officer opinion to an officer proposal. This kind of thing requires -eventually- a Traffic Regulation Order.

A TRO is a legal document, which has to go out to consultation. That in effect requires a decision that is taken by a formal committee of the council -and the Tweeddale Area Forum has the appropriate powers to initiate and authorise a TRO.”

Alterations to the footpath and the condition of the retaining wall near Caerlee Corner were also discussed at the meeting.

Community councillor Susan Meikle raised concerns about the condition of retaining wall alongside the shared pathway just below Caerlee Corner and the water running down it from the road above. The meeting heard that Graham Johnson from Scottish Borders Council had been asked to clear the shingle at the base of the wall which has been causing water to pool there. A mini-digger has been secured to do this work.