Site earmarked for new bus depot at Eshiels

David Knox 1607 - 1607 • Published 6 Apr 2009 12:30 1 Comment

NEGOTIATIONS are under way to create a major new bus park at Eshiels.

A site at the rear of the soon-to-be new depot and recycling centre has been earmarked for coach parking bays.

And it is hoped the scheme will free up space in public car parks around Peebles.

Councillor Catriona Bhatia said: 'This a much better option than allowing buses to clog up our car parks.

'We are urging the bus companies to become involved in discussions with the gas company who own the land.

'Work on the depot and salt store would have to be completed first but it is certainly a good long-term option for buses.'

The announcement was made this week at Scottish Borders Council"s ruling executive meeting, where progress on the roads depot move was discussed.

Project bosses have yet failed to get planning permission for the erection of the new £1.5 million depot building and salt store on the out-of-town site.

Roads and parks workers will have to store much of their equipment and vehicles at a quarry near Eddleston until permission is granted.

Eildon Housing Association are due to take over the Dovecot depot on April 30 to start clearing the site for 61 flats.

It is expected remedial work on the depot will take until September.

Councillor Jim Fullarton, spokesman for the local authority"s technical services department, said: 'There is a really tight schedule here.

'Our department is doing everything it can to meet deadlines.

'We want to be out of the site in time for Eildon to move in - planning permission has to be achieved quickly.'

Council chiefs decided to plough ahead with a move to Eshiels more than two years ago - to free up land in central Peebles for affordable housing.

Budgeting for the £4.24 million project was agreed last August.

And to date almost all of the remediation work on the former gas works site has been completed.

Local councillor Graham Garvie is confident the new facilities will be open on schedule.

He said: 'This is coming together and will be of great benefit to Peebles.'

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Apr 09

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• 

  HazelKaye
  Unregistered User
  Apr 8, 19:42
  Report comment

  Don't BLOCK/OBLITERATE the old rail tunnel, it MIGHT BE OF FUTURE RAIL USE!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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