COMMUNITIES in Tweeddale could soon be able to install solar-powered road signs – but they will have to foot the bill themselves.

At next week’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee, members will be asked to approve plans to allow local groups to purchase 30 and 40mph speed indicators, which cost around £4,000 in total.

In a report, Philippa Gilhooly, SBC’s traffic and road safety team leader, stated: “The Traffic and Road Safety Team carried out an exercise last year to identify sites where speeding vehicles were an issue and have installed 16 no fixed site solar powered speed indicator device signs that display the speed of a vehicle on approach. 

“To date most of these signs have been welcomed and reports from the communities of speeding vehicles appear to have reduced so far. 

“These signs will continue to be maintained by the council.”

But now communities will have to pay for their own signs if they want them installed in the future.

Ms Gilhooly added: “It is thought the cost to a community organisation to purchase, erect, insure and maintain a type approved solar powered sign would be in the region of a one off cost of circa £4,000. 

“An ongoing maintenance contract is likely to cost approximately £200 per annum, depending on supplier.

“Many requests are made from communities for electronic signs and in most instances the requests are based on a perceived speeding issue rather than a real speeding issue. 

“These requests have generally been turned down in the past as resources have been directed to where there is evidence of need.

“It is suggested that if local communities formally agree to purchase, install, insure, maintain and at end of life dispose of electronic speed signs using approved signs through the use of an approved contractor, then council officers will determine the safest and most appropriate location in agreement with the local community on 30mph or 40mph limit roads.

“The council will reserve the right to remove any signs which are not adequately maintained and retain these signs for the community to collect and repair, or to dispose of.

“For clarity, while council officers will work with the community to ensure successful installation in the most appropriate location, the council will have no further duty or obligation towards on-going revenue repair or maintenance costs for these signs.

“Some communities may have more disposable income than others, but where there is an evidence-led concern over real speeding, the council will continue to fund appropriate measures.”