A MULTI-THOUSAND pound project which aims to improve safety at a Peebles park plunged into darkness in the winter has been enthusiastically backed.

The town’s Common Good Fund sub committee discussed plans to install lighting in Victoria Park at a cost of around £57,000 at a meeting on Wednesday (May 24).

As part of the scheme, two footpaths that go from Kingsmeadows Road through to Springhill Road would be lit.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler, who chaired the meeting, said: “This is an issue that has been around for a very long time indeed and it’s continually raised by residents in that area.

“The two footpaths in question are in complete darkness in the winter and one of them, the one that goes past the tennis courts and down, that’s an official route to and from the school.

“It’s a chunky spend for us to do but what this will do is make the park more accessible in the evenings in the winter for a whole range of people.”

Mr Tatler added: “We have had a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the park and again better lighting will hopefully improve that.”

Scottish Borders Council’s Alex Young told the meeting that standard street lighting would be installed as it was the most cost effective.

Tweeddale West councillor Viv Thomson, of the SNP, asked whether there would be any impact on houses nearby.

Mr Tatler said: “All our new lights are down-lighters, they don’t overspill anywhere.

“I’ve spoken to the residents there and more than anything else they want lighting in this park.”

Mr Young added that the council would restrict the light to the areas that needed to be lit.

On the project, Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas said: “It’s really a no-brainer, I think we really need this work done. I think this is essential for the safety of the residents and people using the park in the evenings.”

The SNP representative added that the sooner the work was carried out the better.

The councillors backed the plans in principle but agreed to look around for other sources of cash to fund the costly plans.

The matter will be discussed at the group’s August meeting.