LOCATIONS for a second Tweed crossing in Peebles have been identified and planners now want the views of townsfolk as to their preferred option.

Fears have long been expressed by leading groups in the town such as Peebles Community Council and Peebles Civic Society that increased traffic and flood erosion could lead to a similar scenario to that which occurred at Cockermouth in Cumbria two years ago, when the town's only bridge was swept away by floodwaters.

Such is this strength of feeling that Peebles Community Council recently made the bold decision to allow no further developments south of the Tweed until a new crossing is put in place.

A position also backed by Scottish Borders Council's planning and roads departments.

The local authority recently commissioned Edinburgh firm, MVA Consultancy, to undertake an appraisal of transport issues associated with the medium to long-term development of the town, as they begin to formulate a Strategy Plan for 2018.

And in their report, entitled Peebles Transport Study, MVA identified a new river crossing as being key to this.

Six locations have been proposed: Option 1- Old Rail Alignment Crossing. This route would follow the alignment of the old railway line north to the existing roundabout at the A72/A703.

Option 2 � Whitestone Park Crossing. This route would travel through Whitestone Park and then link into a new junction, close to the entrance to the Peebles Hydro Hotel.

Option 3 � Cavalry Park West Crossing. This route would travel to the west of Cavalry Park and pass through Kerfield Farm, linking into a new road junction on the A72.

Option 4 � Cavalry Park Central Crossing. The route would bridge the river and link onto the A72 west of Kerfield Farmhouse.

Option 5 � Cavalry Park East Crossing. The route would link onto the A72 at the same location as Option 4.

Option 6 � Whitehaugh Crossing. The most easterly of the six initial options, would link onto the A72 at the same location as Options 4 and 5.

A two-day public consultation detailing these plans is now set to take place at the Eastgate Theatre on March 30 and March 31.

A council spokesman said: "Following recent discussions regarding a potential consultation event in Peebles, I can advise that the Eastgate Theatre has been provisionally booked for a two day event at the end of March.

"At this stage we are proposing a joint event between Technical Services and Planning and Economic Development to present some information on the Structure and Local Plan and the Peebles Transport Study, with particular reference to a potential new river crossing." Peebles Community Council planning member John Swanson said: "The ramifications of the proposals for the future of Peebles are immense.

"There is not a request to send your comments to either the Community Council or Scottish Borders Council at this time, although we would expect that there will be feedback forms at the two day event on March 30 and 31."