Published: Wednesday, 23rd July, 2008 09:00
Bypass on fast track
By David Knox
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SELKIRK is in pole position for its proposed bypass to race onto a list of government traffic schemes.
And almost the entire town is backing the bid.
A survey carried out by local MSP Jeremy Purvis has found more than 90 per cent of Souters want to see a new stretch of A7 take traffic from their town centre.
And the politician hopes the support will help convince the Scottish Government to include the 2.2 km road in a forthcoming list of traffic schemes.
Mr Purvis told the Border Telegraph: “This is the strongest support I have encountered as a politician for any issue and I hope the government listens.
“The debate on a Selkirk bypass goes back a generation but we now know it will be economically viable and also has overwhelming support from the people of the town.”
Almost 500 households responded to a survey sent out by Mr Purvis earlier this year.
And only four per cent of the forms were against a new £30 million road being built.
But almost 100 of the respondents did flag up concerns over the impact a new bypass would have on shops.
The MSP added: “After meetings and discussions with traders I agree that any bypass scheme must come with a full strategy to market and promote the town.
“Many respondents cited Melrose as an example of how a town centre can be promoted after a bypass has been built.”
Plans to realign the A7 away from Selkirk’s narrow town centre have been on the drawing board for almost 50 years.
Cost implications and a lack of support in the town had seen several attempts to bring in the bulldozers fail.
But a revised study by Scottish Borders Council last year, which was favourable towards the bypass, and this week’s announcement of support has led to fresh hopes the scheme can become a reality.
The Scottish Government is currently weighing up its options on transport schemes across the country.
And a finalised list will be unveiled by minister Stewart Stevenson this autumn.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government told us: “A full Strategic Transport Review will be published to identify key projects.
“The minister is considering Selkirk along with other projects.”
A route, taking traffic away from the current A7 over grazing land at the Bridgelands above Shawfield cemetery and rejoining the current road at Ladylands.
Local councillor Vicky Davidson believes it is time for the new route to be built. She said: “I have always been in favour of a bypass and we have to make the town as attractive as possible once the traffic is diverted away from the Market Square.
“Almost everyone, including politicians and councillors, is in full support of this project and we must stress this to the Scottish Government.
"We have to make the town centre more usable.”
editorial@bordertelegraph.com
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