Agenda item

Consider briefing note by Philippa Gilhooly, Engineer.   (Copy attached.)

3.1     There had been circulated copies of a briefing paper by Ms P. Gilhooly, Engineer.   In presenting background information she advised that on  a number of occasions the Council’s traffic and road safety section had received requests to look at additional crossing points on the A72, and in particular in the area of Peebles Old Town and Young Street.  The existing waiting restrictions were detailed in the report. An assessment was carried out by Officers to identify the most suitable type of crossing for this location based on pedestrian volumes, desire lines, existing infrastructure, turning requirements and impact on businesses and residents and a pedestrian refuge island was deemed the most appropriate.  To allow large vehicles to safely negotiate a pedestrian refuge there would be a need to convert the existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines.  These new no waiting and no loading at any time restrictions on both sides of the A72 would result in the loss of parking, loading and waiting outside the Vets, Butchers and Red Cross Shop 24/7.   A traffic regulation order would be required to change the waiting restrictions in the area and the public would have the opportunity to object, and valid objections would come back to Area Forum for discussion.   The briefing note recommended that progress be made with advertising a Traffic Regulation Order for additional double yellow lines and any valid objections would be brought to a future meeting of the Area Forum.     Kate Jones and Alexander Finlayson, Castle Warehouse (Peebles) Limited advised that the implementation of such a traffic regulation order would affect customers parking and goods unloading would be severely affected.    Mandy Taylor, On a Shoe String was also present and advised she had similar concerns as would the British Red Cross.   The shopkeepers did appreciate the problems but hoped that some sort of compromise could be reached.   A suggestion was made that something could be done to encourage people taking children to school to take another route and the Engineer undertook to look at that suggestion.      Members discussed the Engineer’s report and agreed that before coming to any decision that informal consultations take place with local traders.  Councillors Bhatia and Cockburn agreed to take this forward, and it was noted that a representative from Tweeddale Access Panel and the Chairman of the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council would also be invited to take part in any consultations.

3.2     In referring to the traffic island at Eddleston, Community Councillor Tulloch advised on risks posed to cyclists when vehicles passed them at this area.   A suggestion was made that a build-out might have been better than a traffic island.  The Engineer advised that information had changed in April with the issue of a new traffic manual and she would explore the situation.

         DECISION

         AGREED that:-

         (a)           informal consultations take place with local traders, this would be taken forward by Councillors Bhatia and Cockburn and a representative from Tweeddale Access Panel and the Chairman of the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council would also be asked to take part; and

         (b)          consideration of the proposed traffic island be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Forum.