A THREE-day study into problem parking in Peebles is expected to strengthen the case for ticketing to return to the region's high streets.

Since February, 2014 there has been minimal parking enforcement on streets in the Borders.

The withdrawal of traffic wardens by Police Scotland has led to constant complaints from shopkeepers and community leaders about time regulations and restrictive yellow-lines being ignored.

On Wednesday members of Scottish Borders Council will be asked to agree to fund a major study across the region to build the case for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, which would allow the local authority to employ their own wardens.

Brian Young, network manager at Scottish Borders Council, said: "Observational analysis by council officers suggests that in most towns the majority of drivers are actually reasonably compliant to the Traffic Regulation Orders in place and that there is a turn-over of vehicles, albeit somewhat less than when traffic wardens operated.

"There exists however a significant number of drivers who regularly flout the regulations and some of these are occupying spaces for large periods of the day making it more difficult for others to find a place to park.

"In relation to single yellow and, to a lesser extent, double yellow lines there appears to be a notably higher level of non-compliance in the absence of traffic wardens.

"To allow any decision to be taken based on facts rather than appearance, a professional independent analysis of the problem is proposed.

"To achieve this a specialist company would be required to undertake full day surveys and analysis in a number of key towns."

The proposed study would see three-day studies carried out in six Borders towns - Hawick, Kelso, Melrose, Peebles, Galashiels and Duns - at a cost of £17,500.

If the study provides sufficient evidence for the local authority to drive forward Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, it is estimated the scheme's set up costs would be more than £220,000.

And roads bosses estimate the employment of their own parking wardens would run at an annual loss of around £15,000.

Mr Young added: "It is accepted that in operational terms a council operated Decriminalised Parking Enforcement system would offer a number of practical advantages in addressing current complaints, but there is considerable concern over the financial implications, both in terms of set up costs and ongoing revenue requirements at a time when the council is facing unprecedented financial constraints.

"In addition to the financial concern officers are also mindful that a decision to introduce Decriminalised Parking Enforcement is likely to be very difficult to reverse in the future as Police Scotland would no longer have any responsibility for traffic management and there would appear to be little to no incentive for them to accept that responsibility back."

Across Scotland 14 of the 32 local authority areas already have Decriminalised Parking Enforcement with a further four in the application process.

If Scottish Borders Council agrees to fund the parking study, evidence will be tabled in September ahead of a final decision being made on proceeding with Decriminalised Parking Enforcement.