Preferred second bridge revealed

Of the six proposed locations for a new crossing, Route 1 (Old Rail Alignment) proved most popular.

And a total of 65 per cent of all consultees agreeing that a new bridge is needed.

The consultation was carried out as part of a well attended public exhibition in the Eastgate held over two days in March.

The popular Route 1 received 23 per cent support, while 21 per cent plumped for Route 3 (Cavalry Park East); 17 per cent of those who took part felt that no crossing was required.

However public backing for both Route 1 and the second-placed Route 3 have now muddied the waters somewhat, as last month Peebles Civic Society backed their favoured option would be Route 4 - Cavalry Park Central - while Peebles Community Council have deemed Route 6 - Whitehaugh Crossing - to be the most viable.

Local councillor Catriona Bhatia also agrees with this most easterly of options.

She said: "Routes 1 and 2 would offer no real benefit to the town so close to the existing bridge. Traffic would still be a problem and any new bridge would ruin the visual impact of that part of town. We have to think 50 or 100 years ahead, Peebles will get bigger and so either of the most easterly options would be best." Councillor Jim Fullarton, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure said: "The consultation exercise in Peebles was well attended and we received lots of relevant comments from members of the general public and local interest groups. It is important that we take these comments on board and move forward to the next stage of the process." A report will now be put before councillors later in the summer when they will consider the conclusions of the study and agree the next steps and timescales for the process.

It is hoped that a final decision on a preferred way forward for the town could be made by the middle of next year, once additional appraisal work has been undertaken and further consultation has been carried out with the local community.