Second Peebles crossing preferred

David O'Leary • Published 13 May 2011 09:30 0 Comments

PEEBLES Community Council has made known its preferred location for a second Tweed crossing in the town.

Scottish Borders Council recently commissioned Edinburgh firm, MVA Consultancy, to undertake an appraisal of transport issues associated with the medium to long-term development of the town, as they begin to formulate a Strategy Plan for 2018.

And in their report, entitled Peebles Transport Study, MVA identified a new river crossing as being key to this.

They also proposed six locations for any such bridge and it is in their feedback to this report that Peebles Communtiy Council have deemed option six - Whitehaugh Crossing - to be the most viable.

The most easterly of the six options, this route would link onto the A72 west of Kerfield Farmhouse.

The community council state: "It has least impact on existing developments, residences and important sport and leisure facilities. Whilst being so far east, its effect on High Street and Tweed Bridge results in the least benefit in reducing traffic compared with the other options.

"However it would still produce a traffic reduction of 30% which is fairly substantial numerically. Provided further development to the south west is resisted in entirety, the resulting effect would still be of great benefit to the town centre and Tweed Bridge."

Fears have long been expressed that increased traffic and flood erosion could lead to the town's only bridge being swept away by floodwaters or being closed for a lenghthy spell for repair.

Such is this strength of feeling that Peebles Community Council recently made the bold decision to allow no further developments south of the Tweed until a new crossing is put in place.

A position also backed by Scottish Borders Council's planning and roads departments, from April all new developments in the town will be include a surcharge of £1000 per house to pay for a feasibility study of the second crossing.

Peebles Copmmunity Council have also stated that timely confirmation and proper consultation is required from the council on the matter, before full agreement is made on potential routes.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 13 May 11

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