DISABILITY campaigners have slammed Scottish Borders Council over the lack of wheelchair-friendly access on the road leading to Galashiels’ landfill site.

The Border Telegraph reported in December concerns of residents at Coopersknowe Crescent about road safety on the C77, which they claimed was forcing pedestrians onto the road.

In response, disability group AccessAble Borders has carried out an inspection of the area and produced a damning report, which concludes that the road is not suitable for the planned waste transfer station.

It states: “We have identified that there are a number of access and environmental issues that are detrimental to existing and potential residents.

“There are significant physical barriers in accessing and movement within the areas identified [Coopersknowe Crescent and Melrose Gait] for wheelchair users or for pedestrians who are unable to use steps, including those with restricted mobility and parents with pushchairs.”

According to the report, this resulted in: 

  •  A reliance on private transport or community transport (subject to cost implications) 
  • A reliance on carers, friends or relatives or deliveries to access day-to-day goods and services 
  • People putting themselves and others in danger by walking down the C77 (facing away from traffic instead of facing oncoming traffic due to a blind bend/pinch point) which has no footway and non-existent grass verges

It claimed this was “causing increased isolation for those who face significant physical barriers within the residential areas”.

In December John Birnie, chairman of the Coopersknowe Residents’ Association claimed SBC made no mention of disabled people in a 37-page report on the waste transfer station.

Now AccessAble has published a list of recommendations for the local authority.

Among them is a call to create a new ramp from Coopersknowe Crescent to Easter Langlee Industrial Estate; look at alternative options for an access road to the waste transfer site; erect signage along the C77 to warn drivers that pedestrians may be on the road; place a mirror at the pinch point [where the road narrows]; and look at options to create a footpath between the pinch point and the Melrose Gait estate.

The report concludes: “Taking into consideration all observations and concerns the C77 does not appear to be suitable for use by the traffic levels expected.”

However, SBC say work has already begun to improve the road.

A spokesperson said: “After the planning committee rejected the original Easter Langlee waste transfer station planning application in April 2017, SBC commissioned external technical experts, Goodson Associates, to review and address the issues raised with the C77 road.

“Their report recommended a package of measures which were included in the revised planning application which was approved by the committee in November 2017. These include a commitment to improve the road network through additional street-lighting, better signage, localised road widening and the removal of trees and vegetation. These improvement works began last week and are scheduled to last 12 weeks.

“In addition, there is an existing Section 75 agreement which relates to the Melrose Gait planning consent which will also deliver a roundabout at the C77/B6374 junction, as well as other improvements, all of which are currently being progressed.

“The council is currently working with Eildon Housing Association to find a solution for delivering full and appropriate pedestrian links between the Coopersknowe development and the existing pedestrian infrastructure on the surrounding street network. 

“In the meantime, the improvement works being undertaken to the C77, including the improved signage and street-lighting, should have a positive effect on driver behaviour to the benefit of pedestrians.

“The development of the waste transfer station means Easter Langlee landfill site will close early, significantly reducing the potential for landfill gas emissions in the local environment.”