A BORDERS road is being investigated as part of a programme assessing accidents involving pedestrians.

According to Transport Scotland, the A7 at Selkirk has been identified as a "location for further investigation" to see what measures can be taken regarding accidents involving pedestrians along the trunk road.

Talks of a bypass at Selkirk have been ongoing for a number of years as a means of providing an alternative route for larger vehicles using the main road.

Issues focus particularly on the town centre where the A7 has two sharp bends which can be difficult for larger goods vehicles to manoeuvre.

In 2016, Selkirk residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Selkirk bypass – 82.7 per cent in favour, 14.6 per cent against, 2,6 per cent void papers – as part of a consultation by the A7 Action Group.

That year, and again in 2018, the group met with then Minister for Transport, First Minister Humza Yousaf to discuss the need for a bypass in the town.

And in 2021 local politicians again pushed for the development of a bypass following an incident involving a lorry and a pedestrian in the town's Market Place.

A proposal for a Selkirk bypass had been put forward to the Scottish Government as part of its Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

However, the bypass did not make the list of recommendations, but investigation of the road does fall under a separate recommendation.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “While a proposal for a Selkirk bypass was not recommended as part of the Strategic Transport Project appraisal process, specific recommendations relating to road safety improvements were to be progressed across the trunk road and motorway network, including rural sections.

“Transport Scotland, through its Operating Companies, undertakes a review of collisions on the trunk road network to identify cluster sites, or routes with recorded collisions that may be worthwhile of further investigation. The screening process, together with a detailed understanding of collision trends around the network, results in a prioritised programme of sites that will be investigated further."

The spokesperson added: "This evidence led approach ensures that resources can be targeted at locations where the greatest potential for casualty reduction is available.

"Through this process, the A7 at Selkirk has been identified as a location for further investigation of potential measures within the existing A7 route corridor to address injury accidents involving pedestrians and create opportunities for safer walking and wheeling in the town.

“This study has started and engagement with stakeholders in the town is programmed to begin in autumn this year. In addition, the study will take account of evidenced accident trends, accessibility issues and constraints along the A7 corridor and feedback from stakeholders in identifying potential improvement options that could be delivered as part of Transport Scotland’s casualty reduction programme."