TEMPORARY traffic lights at Neidpath Corner have increased the danger to road users at the notorious stretch of the A72, it has been claimed.

And matters will only be made worse by long term plans to make the traffic lights permanent at the narrow stretch of road on the edge of Peebles.

Resident Mick Adams made his feelings known at a meeting of Peebles Community Council.

“I travel through that road every day and the speed the cars come through after the lights have changed is scary,” he said.

“The problem is that the traffic now all gets bunched at the lights and that some cars start to overtake as soon as they get through. What are we going to do about cars overtaking in dangerous places?” He added that before the lights were put in he had to stop just once a month to let a lorry through. “In my view this has increased the danger and it’s not long before the police will be coming along and dealing with accidents,” he said. “I believe they should review it all again to see what should be done.” Scottish Borders Council has earmarked £200,000 for improvements to be made at Neidpath Corner - but this is not enough for major changes to be made.

The temporary lights are in place while work is carried out on re-stabilising a wall and it is planned to install the fittings for the permanent lights at the same time.

Tweeddale West councillor Willie Archibald said: “This is a narrow pinch point and heavy vehicles put a strain on the road. There have been a small number of accidents and continued minor bumps and scrapes.” He claimed that bunching traffic happened frequently on all roads and added: “It would be horrendously expensive and would ruin the scenic beauty of the area if major changes were made.

“The traffic experts’ view is that the long term solution would be to put in permanent traffic lights.” The community council chairman Alasdair Stewart said: “It’s all a question of attitude and how we get the public to drive more considerately.” But local community Police Constable Diane Sorrell said she was not aware that any complaints had been made about drivers at Neidpath Corner.