CYCLE lanes will be trialled in a Borders town for a year, a council spokesperson has announced.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) previously ran a public consultation on the proposals for Peebles.

And now an SBC spokesperson has announced various changes are going ahead in the town, with the aim of making it better for pedestrians and cyclists.

The advisory cycle lanes will be installed on Innerleithen Road between the speed limit sign and Edinburgh Road roundabout as well as along Kingsmeadows Road, according to the spokesperson.

However, following the consultation responses, plans have been axed for cycle lanes on the Eastgate and along High Street.

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Gordon Edgar, SBC’s executive member for infrastructure, travel and transport, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a change in travelling habits, leading to an increase in walking and cycling.

“The Spaces for People programme and the funding obtained has given the council the opportunity to trial a wide variety of measures across our towns and villages that make these methods of transport safer and help meet increased demand.

“The feedback from the recent public consultation overwhelmingly showed there was little demand for cycle lanes along Peebles High Street and at Eastgate and the council has taken that onboard.

“The purpose of these trials is to strike the right balance by considering the public’s feedback and make changes where appropriate.”

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The council spokesperson added that the taxi ranks outside The Park Hotel and The Crown will be removed while the existing rank at the Eastgate Theatre will be extended.

Meanwhile, the stretch of road between Walkerburn (east) and the Craigmyle turn-off will revert back to the national speed limit.

This stretch had been 40mph as part of the ongoing Peebles to Peel trial, with the rest of that section to remain at 40mph.

“The Peebles to Peel 40mph trial has been running for some months now and has been an extremely positive move in helping make our backroads safer for everyone," said Mr Edgar.

"As a result of the feedback we have received it is being altered slightly with a section of the road reverting back to the national speed limit.”