PATIENCE is running out for people with mobility problems in Peebles.

Last year the Peeblesshire News highlighted how crumbling surfaces and broken paving has made it almost impossible for anyone using a wheelchair or mobility scooter to travel around the town.

And we described how many elderly residents in and around Whitestone Court struggled to reach the nearest shops.

But the cracks and crumbling surfaces remain.

MSP Christine Grahame is yet again calling for Scottish Borders Council to fix the surfaces.

Christine Grahame said: "This is a disgrace - I am constantly meeting people who are finding it difficult to get about their own town because of the state of the pavements."

This week Ms Grahame and local councillor Heather Anderson met with one local resident who is struggling to get around her home town.

Barbara Hamilton, who is a resident of Dovecot Court, has contacted the local authority several times in a bid to have the surfaces fixed.

But the problems near her home have continued to be ignored.

Ms Grahame added: "This particular patch of pavement needs to be repaired immediately, before the snow and cold make matters even worse or indeed a treacherous pavement leads to injury.”

"We have to do everything we can to support older people remain in their own homes and retain their independence.

"Instead of borrowing millions for developments it cannot afford it should be investing in maintaining the state of the pavements and improving pedestrian and mobility access. This Tory led council should get its priorities right.

"You would think that Councillor Shona Haslam as leader of the council and as a local councillor would make it a propriety for her council but Mrs Hamilton hasn’t even had the courtesy of a response." Heather Anderson, who represents Tweeddale West on Scottish Borders Council, admits she is equally frustrated.

She added: "Christine Grahame and I have raised this issue of poor maintenance repeatedly.

"We are still waiting for the pavement stretching from Whitestone Court to the Park Hotel to be evened out and this particular patch of road between Dovecot and Tesco's actually fills up with water when it rains, making it even more difficult to cross.

"This isn’t just potentially dangerous for people using mobility scooters, it’s potentially treacherous for anyone with any visual impairment, people pushing buggies and anyone in a hurry who hasn’t learned to take a diversion off the pavement and onto the grass.”