MORE people in Peebles are against a new bridge than support it, according to the latest survey.

Scottish Borders Council carried out an extensive transport consultation exercise to gauge opinion.

For three months, up to the end of January, more than 200 completed questionnaires regarding the town’s expansion, planned new bridge and location for the second crossing, were gathered by the local authority.

In contrast to previous studies, only 42 per cent were in favour of a secondary Tweed Bridge.

Transport officer Graeme Jonstone will present the findings to Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Committee.

He said: “The responses indicated that 49 per cent of participants were not in favour of a new road bridge being built in Peebles, with 42 per cent of people in favour of a new bridge being provided for the town.

“From the respondents that expressed support for a new bridge, approximately 81 per cent indicated that a new bridge would reduce the reliance on a single river crossing connecting the north and south of the town, and approximately 80 per cent indicating that a reduction in traffic congestion in the town centre would be a key benefit.” Roads bosses at Scottish Borders Council believe that the current Tweed Bridge will reach capacity by 2020.

Members of the local authority also approved £18.3 million of capital cash for the project, with the design phase due to start in five years.

Despite this most recent poll, local councillor Willie Archibald believes that the authority still has to plan for the future.

He said: “I am surprised by the results of this survey but if we weren’t bringing forward the plans for a second crossing people would be very angry.

“It is all very well saying we don’t need a second bridge just now but where will that leave us in 10 or 20 years time?” Of the three remaining options for the location of the crossing, Cavalry Park East was the most popular choice.