AROUND two years ago an Innerleithen resident asked if anything could be done about mountain bikers who defecate and urinate on his property.

John Paterson, of the Ley, a house just past the golf club, told the town’s community council (IDCC) meeting this month that scores of mountain bikers spend the weekend in their camper vans on a blind bend near his drive and use it as a public convenience.

Mr Paterson said: “When I first told IDCC in 2021 about what happens, members thought there was lots they could do to help with the issues.

“IDCC promised me it would keep the issue on the agenda and I am here tonight to make sure it does not drop off the radar.”

The Ley is off the B709 Granites road.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler said: “My view is that we make the Granites road no parking all the way up.

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“I am going to go back to the Scottish Borders Council roads department to see if we can discourage parking and also have some signs displayed of dos and don’ts for anyone who does park.”

Mr Paterson added: “I have a lot of confidence that Mr Tatler will sort this out, although it’s been going on a long time.”

Also at the meeting there was a talk through some of the design plans for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre which goes before SBC planning this month.

IDCC member Andy Weir warned that if the Innovation Centre did not have bike washing, showers and toilets for visiting riders it would be a “missed opportunity”.

Mr Tatler added that if facilities are created in Innerleithen it would help with the plan of making the B709 a no parking zone.

IDCC member Ylva Dahnsjo said: “People who have reservations about welcoming more mountain bikers to the area are not against the trails, they want better facilities in place.”

Mr Tatler said he’d had a meeting with Vale of Leithen Football Club and they might be prepared to provide facilities for mountain bikers in the short term.