Bridging local opinion
David O'Leary • Published 27 Jan 2012 09:30
1 Comment
RESULTS from the largest survey yet on the siting of a new Tweed Bridge show a 90 per cent preference for it to be as far to the east as possible.
The survey was carried out by action group, A Bridge Too Far, which was set up last year by local residents in a bid to block the planned crossing at the former railway bridge or the second option nearby.
They now claim the findings point to the eastern extremes of the eight options which are on the table.
And they want Options One and Two removed from the current consultation process.
Group members quizzed 304 local people, approximately four per cent of residents, whilst carrying out their survey between November 2011 and January 2012.
The results showed that 61 per cent of those questioned felt that Peebles does have a traffic problem.
And an overwhelming 90 per cent felt that if a new road bridge were to be built, it should be near Cavalry Park, rather than the Gytes playing fields or Priorsford footbridge.
Almost two-thirds of Peebles High Street traders also felt that reducing traffic on the street would have a negative impact on trade.
Graham Lumb, of A Bridge Too Far, said: "The people of Peebles are clearly concerned about the Council's plans.
"We felt it was important to carry out the most extensive survey possible to ensure that the views of the residents and traders of the town were accurately represented.
"We very much hope that Scottish Borders Council will take these views into account when they publish their proposals later this year.
"With elections less than five months away, candidates seeking election to the council need to show they are aware of public opinion on this important matter."
Two such candidates are present Lib Dem councillors, Graham Garvie and Catriona Bhatia, who made their feelings known on the possible routes as far back as July Last year.
Councillor Garvie said: "I am totally against options One and Two. There's no way a new bridge should be built across a public park or too near houses."
A view echoed by councillor Bhatia, who said: "Routes One and Two would offer no real benefit to the town so close to the existing bridge. Any new bridge would ruin the visual impact of that part of town.
"We have to think 50 or 100 years ahead, Peebles will get bigger and so either of the most easterly options would be best."
However SNP candidate and current local councillor Willie Archibald, takes a different view.
He said: "I applaud this group's efforts in carrying out such a survey but 304 people is hardly respresentative of the whole of Peebles.
"The bridge will have to go somewhere and I'm not naive enough to think that wherever it's sited will suit everyone.
"For me it's far too early to begin stating preferred options as I'm yet to see any clear plans. I'd like to weigh up all the options first and then decide. Several of these proposed routes will fall by the way side anyway once they are held up to scrutiny for a host of reasons such as cost and feasibility."
It was back in August 2010 that Scottish Borders Council commissioned Edinburgh firm, MVA Consultancy, to undertake an appraisal of transport issues associated with the medium to long-term development of Peebles, as they began to formulate a Strategy Plan for 2018.
And in their report, entitled Peebles Transport Study, MVA identified a new river crossing as being key, proposing six possible routes.
Two further options were later identified at a public consultation event held in the Eastgate last March.
Less than 200 people turned up to take part and of those quizzed, option One (Old Rail Alignment) proved the most popular.
This public backing for option One muddied the waters, as Peebles Civic Society have stated their favoured option to be option Four - Cavalry Park Central - while Peebles Community Council have deemed option Six - Whitehaugh Crossing - to be the most viable.
It is hoped by Scottish Borders Council that a final decision on a preferred way forward for the town should be made in the coming months once additional appraisal work has been undertaken and further consultation has been carried out with the local community.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 27 Jan 12
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