AN URGENT call has been made to make improvements at a notorious accident blackspot in Peeblesshire a priority after it was ignored in the latest local authority spending plans.

Dirtpot Corner on the A72 between Peebles and Innerleithen has slipped down the list of places Scottish Border Council’s has earmarked for safety work.

Concerns have been expressed for many years about the threat of landslides at the stretch of road just east of Cardrona.

But, while roads bosses have agreed to consider bringing forward work to make improvements at Neidpath Corner on the western edge of Peebles, nothing was mentioned about Dirtpot Corner.

“It seems that the council have other priorities and that work for Dirtpot Corner just keeps slipping back,” Tweeddale East councillor Gavin Logan told a meeting of Walkerburn Community Council.

“Work needs to be carried out to stabilise the bank but it just never seems to get started. From what I understand it looks as if it will not be until 2018/19 at the earliest.” Community council chairman Steven Henderson said: “It is true that it always seems to be a constant number of years ahead of us that they say work will be done at Dirtpot Corner.” Councillor Stuart Bell, who also represents Tweeddale East, said: “I share the concerns about the safety of vehicles at this area.” After the meeting Councillor Logan told the Peeblesshire News: “It is disappointing that Dirtpot Corner has slipped back in the Council’s Capital programme yet again.

“I think it is time that all six Tweeddale councillors committed to ensure that the long running saga at Dirtpot corner is finally addressed and the essential improvements are carried out as a priority.” Meanwhile, the £200,000 that has been earmarked for improvements at Neidpath Corner might be used this year rather than next.

Temporary lights are in place while work is carried out on re-stabilising a wall and the fittings for the planned permanent lights are likely to be installed at the same time.

Councillor Logan said: “It is good news that the council is going to strengthen the wall at Neidpath Corner and introduce a traffic management system.” AN URGENT call has been made to make improvements at a notorious accident blackspot in Peeblesshire a priority after it was ignored in the latest local authority spending plans.

Dirtpot Corner on the A72 between Peebles and Innerleithen has slipped down the list of places Scottish Border Council’s has earmarked for safety work.

Concerns have been expressed for many years about the threat of landslides at the stretch of road just east of Cardrona.

But, while roads bosses have agreed to consider bringing forward work to make improvements at Neidpath Corner on the western edge of Peebles, nothing was mentioned about Dirtpot Corner.

“It seems that the council have other priorities and that work for Dirtpot Corner just keeps slipping back,” Tweeddale East councillor Gavin Logan told a meeting of Walkerburn Community Council.

“Work needs to be carried out to stabilise the bank but it just never seems to get started. From what I understand it looks as if it will not be until 2018/19 at the earliest.” Community council chairman Steven Henderson said: “It is true that it always seems to be a constant number of years ahead of us that they say work will be done at Dirtpot Corner.” Councillor Stuart Bell, who also represents Tweeddale East, said: “I share the concerns about the safety of vehicles at this area.” After the meeting Councillor Logan told the Peeblesshire News: “It is disappointing that Dirtpot Corner has slipped back in the Council’s Capital programme yet again.

“I think it is time that all six Tweeddale councillors committed to ensure that the long running saga at Dirtpot corner is finally addressed and the essential improvements are carried out as a priority.” Meanwhile, the £200,000 that has been earmarked for improvements at Neidpath Corner might be used this year rather than next.

Temporary lights are in place while work is carried out on re-stabilising a wall and the fittings for the planned permanent lights are likely to be installed at the same time.

Councillor Logan said: “It is good news that the council is going to strengthen the wall at Neidpath Corner and introduce a traffic management system.”