Elchos St parking controversy

David O'Leary - David O'Leary • Published 6 Apr 2009 12:30 0 Comments

A HEAD-ON collision has occurred between Scottish Borders Council and Community Councillors at Elcho St.

The clash comes following an SBC Technical Services consultation on amendments to the Peebles Traffic Regulation Order.

One such amendment is the creation of a one-way system at Elcho Street in the hope of relieving the congestion encountered on the street which currently results in vehicles reversing onto adjacent streets.

Peebles Community Council then began their own detailed consultation into the matter which involved compiling a survey of local residents views on the matter.

In this survey west to east was the direction found to be most preferred by Elcho residents.

Community Councillors also came to the opinion that a direction of west to east should be implemented on the street as it would remove the rat run of vehicles following March Street, Damdale, Elcho Street and Elcho Street Brae.

They also felt strongly that this option would remove the conflict at the Elcho Street/Cross Street junction where there has been a high accident rate.

However in compiling their report to the recent Tweeddale Area Committee, Technical Services recommended that councillors rule in favour of an east to west option.

It was felt that if the restriction was to be implemented as stated by the Community Council then drivers may use the narrow Old Church Road and Cross Street to gain access to the A72, which they felt would only move the 'rat-run" to another less suitable street such as Cross Street.

Unfortunately for the Community Council, local councillors took the side of Technical Services and agreed to publish the draft Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

Peebles Community Council secretary, David Pye said: 'We are dissapointed that our views and concerns on this issue were not recognised by Scottish Borders Council.

'Community councillor Janice Pace did a lot of good work in compiling our survey and the views of local residents.

'We would urge anyone who, after it is published, wish to object to any of the amendments included in the TRO, to make their views known to ourselves or SBC.'

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Apr 09

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