BUSINESSES in Peebles have voiced concerns over proposals to extend a taxi rank outside their premises.

Frustration over traffic congestion was flagged up to Peebles Community Council last year when taxi bays were introduced on Innerleithen Road outside the Park Hotel.

Along with parked vehicles outside Osso Restaurant, congestion and tailbacks became common.

It was suggested at a previous meeting of the town's community council that taxi firms were in favour of removing the bays and extending the current rank on the Eastgate.

However, Tweeddale councillor Shona Haslam said she has received concerns from both Trespass and Boots about the ranks being extended past their shops.

She added: “You don’t want to just move a problem to create a different problem, you want to solve the problem.”

Meanwhile, community councillor Julie Shearer said she had noticed an increase in the number of taxi firms coming into Peebles from other towns and parking in the ranks.

Community councillor Lawrie Hayworth, said: “I’m sure taxis are licensed to operate throughout the Borders and there are no constraints on an individual taxi company sending taxis here or Galashiels or anywhere else, and that will be driven by their perception of what income they can generate from being in that location.

“In many ways on the subject of taxis more broadly we are keen to see people not drink and drive, we are keen to see people use public transport not run their extra cars.

"I see a role for taxis within a reduction in car usage and to large degree, the numbers are self regulating because if they don’t make any money they’ll stop doing it. I think the main issue is the additional parking outside the Park Hotel.”

Representatives from the community council are to meet with an officer from Scottish Borders Council to discuss the situation.