A CONSULTATION has been announced on proposals to reduce the speed limit near to the Borders General Hospital.

For years, the A6091 Melrose bypass has been an accident blackspot close to the hospital entrance.

Right turns from vehicles leaving the hospital have already been banned.

In 2015, then then leader of SBC, David Parker and Chairman of NHS Borders, John Raine wrote to the Transport Minister with the backing of a number of the region’s MPs and MSPs to express their concern about the ongoing accident record and difficulties experienced at the junction on the A6091.

In January, Transport Scotland confirmed in a letter that its preferred approach would be to install traffic signals at the junction and reduce the speed limit on the A6091, with plans to carry out the works during 2017/18.

However, the plans announced to construct a roundabout have since been rejected.

The new proposal from Transport Scotland aims to reduce the speed limit from 60mph (96km/h) to 50mph (80 km/h).

Locals have until November 27 to submit any objections to the plans. Details of the grounds for objection should be made to; the Director of Trunk Road and Bus Operations, c/o Scott Danks, Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow, G4 0HF quoting reference A6091/A7/SE/SD.