Agenda item

Community Councillor Lamb advised that substantial areas of the A72 were in a poor state of repair.   Much of the road between Peebles and the entrance to Castle Craig hospital was characterised by corroded edges and patched potholes.   The overall impression of the road was that the surface was generally poor, rough and uneven.   It was not possible to list particular points in the road as there were potholes and damaged edges on most parts of the road.   Potholes were often in groups and although they had been patched, were still rough and uneven.  In places the patched potholes were right across the road making them difficult to avoid.   Between Castle Craig and the junction with the A701, the road had been resurfaced and remedial work had been carried out at the junction to allow school transport to use the road as planned.   Work to deal with flooding between Happrew and the five mile bridge was underway as that part of the road had been badly affected and damaged by running water throughout the winter.   The Community Council would not be able to assess the effectiveness of this work until later in the year.   The junction of the A72 and the A701 remained problematic due to its position on the side of a hill and there were still regular near misses.  It would be useful to have a speed limit there and it could be incorporated into a limit which would also cover the village of Blyth Bridge.  Further towards Skirling, the road continued to be damaged and patched in many places.   The area at the bend near Mountbog was under water for large parts of the winter and subject to temporary traffic lights for a long period.   This remained an area of risk from flooding and the road remained damaged and uneven.   Through Skirling the road continued to be in a very poor state with parts crumbling at the edges and potholes right across the road.  Beyond Skirling the improvement in the overall surface and state of the road was obvious after the boundary with South Lanarkshire.    The Network Manager advised that the comments relating to the Blyth Bank Speed Limit review would be added to the list.   Community Councillor Douglas submitted that something needed to be done regarding Caerlee Corner, Innerleithen and he referred to the speed of traffic coming into Innerleithen.   The Network Manager advised Officers were looking into the issues again in terms of the speed limit.  He referred to the footpath into Caerlee and of diversions being made to it and explained that Jean Robertson, the Council’s Funding and Project Officer was exploring EIP scheme funding for this.  Councillor Waddell raised concerns relating to drainage issues on the Peebles side of the five mile bridge and to sight lines coming out of Lyne Station because of bushes and small trees not being cut.    Members agreed to come back to the next meeting with avenues and guidance to enable recommendations to be made on how to deal with the issues raised.    The Asset Manager advised he would liaise with Jason Hedley and Elaine Nicol about the drainage issue near to Mountbog that had required temporary traffic lights to be used over an extended period.   Discussions would take place at the next meeting regarding long term and short term issues which needed to be changed to make things better although noting lack of funding a wish list could still be compiled.

DECISION

AGREED that Members and Officers would come back to the next meeting with avenues and guidelines on how to deal with the issues raised.