LATEST UPDATE: The saga of the closure of Castlegate in Jedburgh continues as town councillor expresses his anger

The Castlegate was closed in both directions last Wednesday, March 3, as contractors working for Scottish Power dealt with a power supply problem in the area.

The works have added as much as 15 minutes onto the journeys of frustrated townsfolk.

Scottish Borders Council had issued a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the works to be completed by 6pm on Monday, March 8.

But that deadline passed with the road still closed today, Tuesday, March 9, and road closure signs remained in place at the location as of 4pm.

Now town councillor Jim Brown has expressed his anger at the delay and the confusion and inconvenience it has caused for constituents.

Mr Brown said: “I am absolutely livid. The TRO finished last night at six o’clock and I can see no reason why the whole carriageway was closed for all of the weekend.

"One side could have at least been opened, instead people from upper Castlegate were having to travel around to get their groceries and there are a lot of older folk up there and it’s a steep hill to climb.

"I put some pressure on Scottish Borders Council yesterday and one of our officers said he was still adamant that it was going to open at six o’clock last night and he said that for some reason the contractor had ordered or been sent the wrong paving slabs. I then went and passed on that incorrect information to people who asked.

"Then I find out this morning that it is still closed and I am absolutely livid.

"The road is complete, even the yellow lines had been reinstated, and if it meant that there had to be traffic lights on one side they could have got it opened to allow traffic up and down, but to close it because of paving slabs I think is a very poor excuse.”

The fault is believed to be with a power supply issue to the police station side of that area of The Castlegate.

The Southern Reporter is seeking a comment from Scottish Power.