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There are calls for the installation of speed bumps to slow traffic entering Kirk Wynd from West Port in Selkirk.
The petition will come before Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) Scrutiny & Petitions Committee when members meet on Wednesday.
It states: “Kirk Wynd is a shared space for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.
“It has a dropped kerb which does not separate the pavement from the road, giving the appearance of a pedestrian area.
“There is no proper junction between West Port and Market Place/Kirk Wynd – it is treated as a bend in the road.
“Pedestrians coming out of the post office or from the car park of the museum have to jump back to avoid being hit by speeding vehicles. The speed limit of 20mph is too high and traffic exceeds it.”
An original petition signed by 100 people was submitted to Selkirk Community Council in October last year.
Committee members will be told that a male pedestrian had his leg broken while attempting to cross from the Market Place.
In response to the petition, Philippa Gilhooley – SBC’s team leader policy/road user manager – says Kirk Wynd is “not considered an accident cluster site”, citing one serious injury in 2019, in which a pedestrian suffered broken bones.
She states: “I can see from the speed compliance tool that average speeds are less than 20mph from the junction to beyond the Royal Mail delivery office.
“We are unable to support a restriction such as this as there are a large number of residences as well as the Royal Mail delivery office that require access from Kirk Wynd and also as there is a distinguishable footway for pedestrians and drivers to identify and use.
“On a more positive note, SBC are currently working with BEAR and Transport Scotland on looking overall at the A7 and other roads in Selkirk to determine if there are additional measures that could be investigated to improve the experience for pedestrians.”
