Galashiels: 'Disgraceful' roundabouts spruce up to cost £20k

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the community council last week.

The state of the roundabouts – particularly the ones at supermarkets Tesco and Asda – has been a long-running issue for the Galashiels group.

Community council chairwoman Judith Cleghorn told Wednesday’s meeting that train operating firm CrossCountry had offered to help fund a makeover of the islands – in exchange for sponsorship.

But the meeting heard that Scottish Borders Council (SBC) said no visible sponsorship would be allowed on the roundabouts in case it distracted drivers.

“The roundabouts are an absolute disgrace,” said community council secretary Tracey Alder. “Judith has been trying for the last couple of years at least and they [SBC] have done nothing.”

The meeting was told that the council had said it would cost around £22,000 to sort out the roundabouts, and that they would not be looked at until September.

Ms Cleghorn said CrossCountry had no interest in paying towards the cost due to the council’s current stance.

“That’s why they’re costing so much because they’ve gotten out of control now,” said Ms Alder.

Ms Cleghorn added: “Most of the cost is health and safety.

“I don’t want anyone to get killed but there must be some middle ground somewhere.

“In a perfect world they would be done like they are in France – something ornamental in the middle and then flowers around the outside. I don’t see why they shouldn’t be the same here.”

Ms Cleghorn said that there are height limits in terms of what can be put on the roundabouts due to a desire from SBC to maintain visibility.

“We can’t have anything too high but the weeds and grass that are growing will soon be at that level,” she said.

Newly-named community councillor Jim Johnstone said it should be SBC’s responsibility to maintain the roundabouts in the town.

SBC leader and Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine, of the Conservatives, said he would look at the sponsorship issue.