A CONTROVERSIAL pedestrian crossing recently installed in Peebles is causing “chaos and danger”, according to the managing director of a nearby shop.

Work to install the puffin crossing, just to the left of where Tweed Brae joins Eastgate, began at the start of August after a public consultation found a majority of people were in favour of creating it.

But since its installation, the crossing has ignited a storm of protest on social media.

Villeneuve Wines shop is next to the new crossing and its managing director, Kenneth Vannan, said: “There has not been one accident there in the 30 years we have been at 37 Eastgate. Those responsible for this decision should come down and witness the chaos and danger this unnecessary crossing causes.

“Is there another crossing anywhere in the world built beside a bus stop, taxi rank, and a four road junction? It is much safer to use the existing crossing.

“It’s only a matter of time before an accident occurs here.”

But independent Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler said the crossing has been “popular” since its creation.

He said: “The idea came from the Safer Places for People initiative, promoted by the Scottish Government and supported by SUSTRANS. They came up with a number of suggestions for improvements in Peebles town centre to encourage pedestrians.

“The new crossing is proving to be very popular with pedestrians and has had no operational issues.”

The suggestions came from a Scottish Borders Council (SBC) online survey, from April 9-30 last year, asking for views about making Peebles High Street more pedestrian friendly.

There were 530 responses about the possible Eastgate puffin crossing – 51 per cent thought it was a good idea with 37 per cent opposing the plan.

Mr Vannan added: “[The] Peeblesshire News could do a 16-page pull-out special on the opinions of the people who think it’s dangerous and unnecessary.

“From paramedics, postmen, delivery drivers, bus drivers, residents, local businesses, post office, old folk who used to park briefly in the loading bay to post a letter, incoming councillors and tourists…”

People in the town have taken to social media to voice their concerns.

Kizzy Stewart said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. Motorists are gonna be so busy checking the road is clear of vehicles to pull out from the junction that they’ll not see the crossing and someone will get hurt.”

Katherine Ann Card has called for a traffic warden and said that the crossing has added to congestion and caused more parking issues in the town.

Ms Card said: “The lights there do not help the flow of Peebles High Street, if buses don’t park right, they are jutting out and cause a hold up.

“It’s a nightmare during the day, there are people double parked and people in the disability parking areas who do not have a blue card displayed.

“People think, ‘Oh there’s a space’, and park where there is no parking meant to be as it’s access to either the library or further up from it.”

All six then-Tweeddale councillors – Stuart Bell, Shona Haslam, Robin Tatler, Heather Anderson, Kris Chapman and Eric Small – issued a joint statement last year which stated that the design for the crossing had been independently assessed by “a reputable external road safety audit specialist” and was deemed appropriate.