A7 Route Management Strategies : Consultation 2009

BEAR SCOTLAND Ltd. A7 ROUTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES : CONSULTATION 2009

COMMENTS FROM SELKIRK and DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Traffic Flows and Journey Times

 Delays through Selkirk / regular traffic congestion are particularly caused by heavy vehicles

 Need for improved traffic flows to Tweedbank and the central Borders road network - to assist future railway commuters and serve the reinstated Waverley rail line which now has Government approval and is currently awaiting construction - to access a future crematorium facility which is now being actively considered and promoted by Scottish Borders Council for either the Selkirk or Melrose area

 Lack of a Selkirk by-pass creates a bottleneck and extends journey times : 2 large vehicles or multi-axle ‘artics’ meeting at Selkirk’s Tower Street corner necessitates one backing up – resulting in traffic chaos. This happens 3-6 times daily.

Road Accidents

 It is noted that BEAR/Transport Scotland have joined with Selkirk High School and representatives of the local Selkirk community to develop a School Travel Plan which not only raises public awareness of existing road safety issues but also considers a range of ongoing measures to improve the present situation. It is essential that this work - of implementation - continues, although the most positive action in the longer term will be the formal acceptance of need for a Selkirk by-pass.

 Within Selkirk (at foot of Tower Street opposite no 2 Tower Street) larger vehicles travelling north through the central area, are obliged to use the opposite carriageway and/ or mount the footway in order to negotiate the corner at the High Street - and this creates a safety hazard to pedestrians (school pupil already injured and many near misses at this point) on a narrow / exposed footpath. Similarly, a large vehicle travelling south recently, in negotiating the corner, destroyed the sun awning of Selkirk Deli by using the pavement to obtain a wider sweep

 Local concern for safety of school children/ wheelchair users/mothers with prams or buggies/ pedestrians with mobility difficulties on the minimal, narrow footpaths of Hillside Terrace esp. north of High School. (also with associated safety risks to other road users)

 Complaints regularly made to police (by Community Council, on behalf of local residents) re breaching of 20mph and 30mph speed limits on Hillside Terrace

 The Fleece junction (Market Place) has been highlighted as a difficult road to cross due to the volume of traffic and reduced pedestrian visibility – whilst this situation may not justify an additional pedestrian crossing, it highlights a further reason for the need of a Selkirk by-pass

1  A positive and pro-active approach is required to encourage footpaths improvements for better disabled access and general pedestrian safety – especially in the central area of Selkirk

 It is suggested that a new roundabout be formed at the junction of the A7/ A699 (St Boswells road)/the Loan - south of Ladylands garage - to improve traffic safety (sightlines) and to slow traffic both coming downhill into Selkirk from the south and those vehicles heading south - and which tend to accelerate out of the town whilst still within the 30mph limit.

Signing/Markings

 General evidence of wear to road markings generally – resulting in unclear directional and control signing

 At this time, more controls are required in order to effectively manage the speed of traffic through Selkirk and avoid indiscriminate parking of cars which reduces sightlines and pedestrian visibility.

Geometric Standards

 The function of Selkirk’s central area is impaired and constrained by the sluggish flow of through (increasingly heavy) traffic. This situation is exacerbated by vehicles having to negotiate 2 sharp 90 bends, fairly steep gradients and narrow roads. The establishment of a Selkirk by-pass would enable this traffic flow to travel north/ south more smoothly and also reduce carbon emissions.  There are also sections of Hillside Terrace, Tower Street and Ettrick Terrace where the footway is of minimal width and this creates public safety risks to all road users, especially regarding safer routes to school.

Structural Condition

 Distressed road surfacing (already reported to Mr I Stewart, BEAR and Mr T Devine, Transport Scotland) at areas of Tower Street, Hillside Terrace and Ettrick Terrace – this situation is currently deteriorating further

 Kerb upstand ‘lost’ as a result of successive road surface overtopping - esp. for several hundred m. north of Sherriff Court (Ettrick Terrace). This has resulted in flooding in the basement of No.102 Ettrick Terrace on two or three occasions.

 Localised flooding noted at various sections of road – e.g. opposite Baxters unit at Dunsdale Haugh near the Dunsdale Road junction

 Footpath damage regularly noted in Central Area, as a result of vehicle over running with consequent increased risk to pedestrian safety.. Urgent need for an agreed schedule of appropriate materials – suitable for the Conservation Area - to be used in areas of heavy wear : for continuity, this should be agreed with the local authority (SBC) and local community (council)

 Ettrick Terrace: water surcharge/seepage from retaining wall (already reported to Mr I Stewart, BEAR and Mr T Devine, Transport Scotland) causes potential safety hazard to road and footpath users – especially in freezing conditions

2  There is also subsidence - visible at the existing pedestrian crossing, outside the County Hotel. The community has previously reported this but only superficial repair work has been carried out. It is understood the problem relates to an old well, which is known to be located in this area – and therefore further, more detailed investigation is required in order to carry out suitable, lasting repairs.

3 Junctions

 Pending a full road improvement scheme to remove the difficult bends and narrow road conditions in the vicinity of Boleside/ Glenmayne House there are safety issues regarding the continued use of the access road (leading to Hollybush) which meets the A7 at a skewed junction just north of the Tweed bridge. Northbound traffic wishing to use this road, has to cross the centre of the trunk road to turn left and southbound traffic has to cross double white lines to access the road. It would be safer – although perhaps less convenient for locals – to use this junction for emerging traffic only, and then preferably only northbound. Closure would be the safest option

 Not all junctions are marked by bollards.

Lay-bys

 No comments - except see below under ‘buses’

 Adequate lay-bys should be created off the carriageway to allow buses to stop in central Selkirk without entering the Market Place which could then be used in a much more user-friendly way – and as an integral part of the proposed Selkirk regeneration programme

 The provision of a bus lay-by - or at least provision for a replacement bus stop - at an appropriate position near Ladylands garage (south of Selkirk) has previously been requested by the community and should now be implemented forthwith

 The provision of a bus lay-by at an appropriate position near the Baxters / NGT units at Dunsdale Haugh (north approach to Selkirk) has already been requested by the community and should be implemented at the earliest opportunity.

Footways/Cycleways/Bridleways

 No comments other than to refer to notes (safety issues) regarding the arguments for a Selkirk bypass esp. re Hillside Terrace

 The section of footway between Lindean and the Tweed bridge has sections in very poor condition with moss and detritus from tree pruning combining to make any walk along this path an unforgettable experience.  Similarly the section of narrow footway, which lies along the west verge below Glenmayne House, has deteriorated - with a crumbling wall and lack of maintenance causing obstructions from leaves and other debris.

Lighting

4  Encourage the use of light fittings which are wholly energy efficient and have appropriate reflectors to avoid light pollution (both upwards and to the side to avoid unnecessary intrusion and distraction)

 Confirm that street lighting is provided only where required and meets minimum current safety standards. Remove unnecessary energy-wasteful lighting units.

 Selkirk central area – also an integral part of the conservation area – has been visually and physically damaged by recently erected unsightly and obstructive lamp standards and it is the Community Council’s wish to revert to lights fixed to buildings in the central area as per the previous arrangement. This will reduce visual clutter, make footpaths less restricted by obstacles, improve pedestrian and disabled access and raise safety standards.

Drainage provision

 Ensure maintenance (cleaning and repair) of road gulleys is carried out regularly and thoroughly as programmed – evidence already submitted to BEAR of poor and inadequate maintenance regime.

Roadside Protection

 Damage to safety bollards at ‘The Toll’ – requires repair/replacement

 Lack of safety barrier protection for c. 600 metres along east verge opposite Glenmayne House (above Boleside) - a very vulnerable situation with a steep drop away from the road.

Other: Roadside Maintenance:

 Damage to verges – erosion, wheel ruts and dieback of turf – regularly caused by subcontractors employed to carry out landscape maintenance works /roadworks/gulley cleaning and also excessive weed kill and winter salting. Particularly bad wheel rutting and inadequate clearing up is visible between Lindean and Tweed Bridge.

 Bridgehaugh lay-by has a pot hole at the north end

 Clerkland Road lay-by requires maintenance

 This general ‘untidiness’ is unsightly and damages tourism potential - and thus impacts upon the local economy.

Proposed A7 Selkirk Bypass 5 The latest Transport Plan for Scotland has regrettably omitted reference to any Scottish Borders based project – and the omission, in particular, of a Selkirk Bypass is an indictment of those in political and fiscal power who can express such indifference to the needs of those living and visiting southern Scotland. The current economic climate is such that a capital venture of this nature is unlikely to be sustainable at this time. But this is not what the Selkirk community have asked for. The Community wishes the ultimate need for a by pass to be acknowledged in the Transport Plan and for survey work to be undertaken in order to establish the optimum line of the route. This will encourage and empower Selkirk to plan for its future (see also below under ‘Planning Gain’) and work towards a more sustainable and vibrant local economy. The Royal Burgh of Selkirk and District Community Council and Selkirk Regeneration Group, supported by Scottish Borders Council and local MSPs have all expressed their support for this project. The arguments for a Selkirk Bypass are still robust: Issues: Positive:

 Protection of Selkirk’s historic centre and conservation area: Removing heavy traffic from Selkirk’s historic core will reduce potential (and actual) damage to buildings and roadway – caused by excessive vibration, traffic movements etc. This reduction of maintenance costs will represent financial and manpower savings for the trunk roads authority, Scottish Borders Council and individual property owners.

Selkirk’s central area and in particular the Market Place are currently dominated by traffic movements – all to the detriment of pedestrian safety, the Conservation Area and the setting of Listed buildings and monuments - all of which largely represent the heritage of the town.

 Pollution: The removal of through/ heavy traffic with its accompanying noise, vibration, carbon emissions and smell from the centre of Selkirk will also release opportunities for visitors to pause and enjoy local facilities, and enable townsfolk to go about their business more safely. A bypass would also eliminate the constantly increasing health hazard to local inhabitants and visitors from through traffic exhaust emissions.

 Safety: The implementation of a Selkirk By-pass will undoubtedly improve pedestrian/ road user safety in the town. Narrow, minimal width footways create great difficulty for school children/ wheelchair users/mothers with prams or buggies/ pedestrians with mobility difficulties.

Within Selkirk (at foot of Tower Street opposite no 2 Tower Street) larger vehicles travelling north through the central area, are obliged to use the opposite carriageway and/ or mount the footway in order to negotiate the corner at the High Street - and this creates a safety hazard to pedestrians on a narrow / exposed footpath. A school pupil has already been injured at this point and many near misses observed. Similarly, a large vehicle travelling south recently, in negotiating

6 the corner, destroyed the sun awning of Selkirk Deli when obliged to use the pavement to obtain a wider sweep. The Fleece junction (Market Place) has been highlighted as a difficult road to cross due to the volume of traffic and reduced pedestrian visibility – whilst this situation may not justify additional pedestrian crossing, it highlights a further reason for the need of a Selkirk bypass A positive and pro-active approach is required to encourage footpaths improvements for better disabled access and general pedestrian safety – especially in the central area of Selkirk

The A7 problems have been recognised in that BEAR/Transport Scotland have joined with Selkirk High School and representatives of the local Selkirk community to develop a School Travel Plan to raise public awareness of existing road safety issues and considers a range of ongoing measures to improve the present situation. It is essential that this work - of implementation - continues, although the most positive action in the longer term will be the formal acceptance of need for a Selkirk by-pass. Complaints are regularly made to police (by Community Council, on behalf of local residents) re breaching of 20mph and 30mph speed limits on Hillside Terrace.

 Visitors: At present, the steady traffic movements through the town are a disincentive for visitors to stop and to seek a parking place (there is also a lack of adequate parking facilities).

 Central area refurbishment: A ‘traffic calmed’ Selkirk would facilitate an eventual thorough physical and economic refurbishment of the town and its assets. In addition, the existing A7 corridor and especially the north approach to the town is in great need of environmental improvement and landscape management.

 Planning gain: If the line of a by-pass route can be established in the Transport Plan, then this should enable Scottish Borders Council to identify and zone appropriate land in the local development plan. The most likely use will be residential to help future housing allocations in the central borders, together with mixed use and employment zoning. An opportunity for planning gain then exists. If (say) the line and profile are fixed and 1 or 2 key roundabout positions are identified, an opportunity arises to plan future developments around these ‘nodes’. Individual housing areas could be developed – with each incorporating a section of the future by-pass line and then feeding into the existing road network. Such a jigsaw process would effectively be a private sector financial contribution to the o/a cost of the by-pass project and could ultimately be linked up to achieve the final route.

 Local economy: Future residential development will, in turn, add to the local population and vitality of the town and thereby help sustain and boost the local economy and enhance council revenues.

 Advance signs and visitor information: 7 Implicit in the formation of a by-pass will be an opportunity to announce the attractions and facilities offered by Selkirk at either end of a by-pass - and perhaps at any intermediate junction points. This will help ensure that those arriving in the area are made aware of Selkirk as a visitor destination and invite them to enjoy the benefits of a traffic calmed environment. Those travelling to and from the Yarrow and Ettrick valleys, to St Mary’s Loch and Moffat will still divert through the town - but with an improved opportunity to enjoy a ‘peaceful’ stop off in the town.

 Green issues: The establishment of a by-pass will enable through (heavy) traffic to travel north/south without having to negotiate 2 sharp 90 bends, steep gradients and narrow roads. This will lead to ‘smoother’ driving and reduce carbon emissions.

 Railway/commuter link: When the Waverley rail line is established, a Selkirk by-pass will be invaluable to avoid delays for commuters/ travellers from the Hawick/ Roxburgh areas. It will be vital to offer quick and easy access to the railhead at Tweedbank - at least in the short term until the line can be extended further south! The determination of a site for a Borders crematorium facility would also be enhanced by the removal of the Selkirk bottleneck, which presently exists.

Negative:

 Loss of trade to the town: There may be a certain reticence among a minority of traders who fear a potential loss of trade. But this loss of trade is largely perceptual and not actual, judging by the experience of other bypassed towns. There is a firm belief that this would be positively offset by the benefits gained from removing unnecessary traffic - all as noted above.

 Damage to the natural setting: The introduction of a man-made construction through /across an existing green field corridor may impact upon wildlife, habitats and local usage of the area. A route appraisal should therefore include a full assessment to consider the impact upon existing fauna and flora and then identify the means to ameliorate any potential environmental damage or loss. However, from the scenic area aspect, the proposed route is largely screened by local topography and would result in a minimal visual impact.

Summary: On balance, a Selkirk by-pass will be of enormous potential environmental and economic benefit to the town and central Borders. If the project is undertaken with proper diligence, and as a full package (with advance signing, interpretation, improved internal road system and pedestrian access links) it will fundamentally enhance the visitor experience and enjoyment of Selkirk - and should hold no fears for local residents or businesses. 8 As already stated, the Selkirk Community wishes the ultimate need for a by pass to be acknowledged and for survey work to be undertaken in order to establish the optimum line of the route.

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………… on behalf of the Royal Burgh of SELKIRK and DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Date: 18 March 2009