A LOCAL councillor believes Borderers should get behind a massive biking event rolling into the region next month - despite widespread disruption.

Several residents living in the Yarrow Valley have hit out at lengthy road closures to accommodate the Tour o’ the Borders on Sunday, August 10.

The 77-mile closed-road sportif will attract close to 2,000 cyclists to the region from all over the UK.

But it is proving to be a headache for rural residents.

The Yarrow Valley road will be closed from 6.30am until mid afternoon.

And letters have been sent to everyone living along the route - warning of prosecutions if anyone is caught driving.

Several business owners and residents of the valley, south of Selkirk, are angry.

But the local councillor, Vicky Davidson, believes the benefits outweigh the problems. She said: “There are concerns about people getting to and from their work and also people staying in guest houses that won’t be able to leave.

“It will be an inconvenience but there are a lot of benefits to having the event.

“These riders will be coming to the area the night before the race to register and will be staying locally. If it is a success this year even more will come the following year and the economic benefits will be even greater.” The A708 from Selkirk to the Gordon Arms will be closed from 6.30am to 2.30pm.

Many other roads along the route, which runs from Peebles through, Innerleithen, Selkirk, Yarrow, Ashkirk and Robertson, will also be shut for various lengths of time.

Organisers, in conjunction with Scottish Borders Council and the emergency services, issued full details of the closures back in May.

And officials have visited properties along the route to warn of the disruption.

A council spokesperson said: “Scottish Borders Council appreciates the road closures present an inconvenience for local residents.

“However, we have worked hard to ensure the disruption is minimised, while at the same time ensuring a significant event - involving an estimated 3,000 cyclists and generating hundreds of thousands of pounds for the local economy - can take place successfully and safely.

“The council, along with police, fire and ambulance services have been working together to make sure the event is run safely and will react to any emergency situation that may arise.” A dedicated website for the event - tourotheborders.com/community - has full details of which roads are closed and when.

The local authority spokesperson added: “We have been working closely with the Tour o’ The Borders to ensure that the organisers carry out an extensive communications with local residents and businesses.

“Since May, the organisers have been attending community council meetings and area forums to ensure as many people as possible know about the event and have set up a special communities section on its website.

“The closures will also be advertised in advance in local newspapers and relevant websites by SBC.”