CONSTRUCTION of the traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing on Peebles Eastgate is under way.

Last week workmen began narrowing the road by extending the kerb line at the junction of Tweed Brae and Eastgate.

Work continued all day on Sunday with a stop/go system to only allow one way traffic during the works.

The pedestrian user-friendly intelligent (puffin) crossing will be Peebles second set of traffic light controlled crossings.

Last year a public consultation found a majority of people were in favour of creating the crossing but there were objections from Peebles and District Community Council (PCC).

In January PCC chairman Les Turnbull said: “We have real fears that buses will not be able to get on the bus stop once the crossing is installed because they are narrowing the road significantly and that large vehicles will not be able either enter or egress from Tweed Brae.

“We were asking not for the project to be abandoned but for a consultation on all our traffic issues including pedestrian safety.”

During PCC’s July meeting, speaking about the work starting, Mr Turnbull said: “It is quite disappointing, in many respects, because of the arguments that we put forward previously but it is going to go ahead and we will have to wait and see how it all pans out.”

Scott Rae said that the public who have an issue with the puffin crossing need to raise it with PCC, the councillors and through the planning process.

Mr Rae added: “They can’t just sit back and assume someone is going to complain on their behalf.

“It does come around to community participation in these things.

“If you do nothing about it, nothing will change.”

Mr Turnbull replied: “We did actually challenge some of the evidence provided when the Puffin crossing was being discussed.

“The central point [you make] regarding people becoming involved in making their protest or objection or support known is very important. We would like to encourage people to make their views known.”

All six Tweeddale councillors, serving last January: Stuart Bell, Shona Haslam, Robin Tatler, Heather Anderson, Kris Chapman and Eric Small issued a joint statement.

As part of that statement they said: “We believe this is an important road safety addition for Peebles and hope everyone in the town will get behind it.”