Published: Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 3:54pm

Drive to curb deaths at danger junction

A DRIVE is underway to improve one of the most dangerous roads in the Borders.

New road lighting columns, designed to reduce the risk of injury on impact, are to be installed on the A6091 Melrose bypass - the scene of a number of accidents in recent years.

Roads contractor BEAR Scotland has now started working on the £145,000 scheme on behalf of Transport Scotland and motorists have been warned of delays.

The work will see the remainder of the road lighting on the A6091 from the Borders General Hospital to the junction of the B6374 upgraded with new lanterns installed, a new fully ducted private cable network introduced, as well as the introduction of the safer road lighting columns.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland's Operating Company Representative for the South East Unit said: "Installation of passively safe measures like these road lighting columns can make a tremendous difference in reducing the risk of injury as a result of collisions with fixed roadside objects.

"We are confident this improvement will be welcomed by all users of this vital link between the A7 and the A68.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their patience as we complete the upgrade of the lighting on the A6091."

Motorists and motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured as a result of collisions with fixed roadside objects such as trees, signposts and road lighting columns every year.

Passively safe road lighting columns are designed to absorb the energy of a collision and slow down vehicles without causing injury to the occupants.

The scheme is expected to take 12 weeks to complete and operations will take place between 8am and 5pm. Temporary traffic signals will be used as necessary to control traffic to ensure the safety of the operatives and road users. No operations will take place over the festive period.

Some delays might be experienced during peak hours and motorists are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys. More journey planning information can be found at www.trafficscotland.org or www.travelline.co.uk