Call for one-way system on busy, narrow Borders streets
Calls are being made for a one-way system to be introduced on three Borders’ streets where residents and motorists face “delay, congestion and confusion”.
A petition has been collected amid concern about safety on Yarrow Terrace, Buccleuch Road and Mill Street in Selkirk.
These streets are very narrow, heavily used, and can often be difficult to navigate.
The parked cars and restricted forward view on Yarrow Terrace means that vehicles frequently find themselves rounding a corner to be confronted by the road blocked by oncoming traffic.
The alternative route of Mill Street down to Dunstable Road has a similar issue, in that parking on one side and a bend in the middle prevents a comprehensive view of the road. This has led to some damage to parked vehicles.
In a report to a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s Scrutiny and Petitions Committee, lead petitioner Andrew Murray states: “As the proposer of this petition, my request is that Scottish Borders Council instruct the Traffic Department, or whoever is deemed the most appropriate department, to conduct a survey into the practicality, cost, funding and benefits of a one-way system, proceeding westbound down Yarrow Terrace, eastbound along Buccleuch Road and southbound along Hill Street.
“I made a site visit recently and was in position at each end of Yarrow Terrace for no more than five minutes in each case before traffic meeting at the bend forced one or more parties to reverse, causing delay, congestion and confusion.”
When committee members meet today (Thursday, August 13), they will be informed that the cost of implementing the one-way system would be in the region of £115,000.
Instead, the recommendation in a council report is to extend the double yellow lines to remove all, or almost all, of the parking outside the properties on Yarrow Terrace.
The report, from Philippa Gilhooly, team leader for Traffic and Road Safety with Scottish Borders Council, states: “Whilst the council recognise that a permanent one-way system may appear to solve the issues of maintaining traffic flow here, unfortunately it is not a straight-forward proposal.
“There is not any identified capital or revenue budget for such a scheme and based on current traffic data this would be extremely difficult to justify.
“Regardless of the budget position at present the professional opinion of the qualified traffic and road team would not support the reintroduction of a one-way system here, at least until the proposals for the town centre are finalised, and if they are to proceed then at least an 18-month period to allow new habits to be formed, and then a review of Yarrow Terrace.”