GALASHIELS is losing out because the town regularly becomes gridlocked, community councillors warned.

Road closures, diversions, dangerous parking and ongoing road and rail works are driving shoppers away from the town.

Motorists, trying to enter the town centre, have also complained of waiting in traffic for up to half an hour at peak times.

This now includes Friday lunchtimes following the introduction of the new school timetable.

Speaking at this month’s meeting of Galashiels Community Council, chairman Ian Purvis said: “I have received a lot of complaints about double parking, dangerous parking and people parking in spaces all day. People are worried about getting parked and are now thinking twice about coming to the town.” Last year, Scottish Borders Council warned the road works would continue until 2018.

Speaking at this month’s meeting of Tweedbank Community Council, secretary Andrew Bramhall said: “It’s a nightmare getting into Gala at the moment, with traffic queued back all the way to Tweedbank.” In reply, Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker said: “It’s not going to get any better until we get rid of the railway works.”