Advisory cycle lanes are to be trialled for a period of 12 months in Peebles following a public consultation.
Details of the trial
The designated cycle lanes will be installed on Innerleithen Road between the speed limit sign and Edinburgh Road roundabout as well as along Kingsmeadows Road. After taking into consideration public responses to a survey on a range of proposed temporary measures, cycle lanes at Peebles Eastgate and High Street will not form part of the trial.
The purpose of the pilot scheme is to fully determine demand for active travel spaces in Peebles which have the potential to make the town a more walking and cycling friendly area.
Additional trial measures
In addition, taxi ranks outside The Park Hotel and The Crown will be removed and the existing rank at the Eastgate Theatre will be extended.
Options for a puffin crossing at the top of Tweedbrae will also be considered in more detail in the coming months to determine how best to accommodate this within the existing road layout.
Lining works to designate the more defined spaces for cyclists and the changes to the town’s taxi ranks will take place across the week of 15 June.
What are advisory cycle lanes?
Advisory cycle lanes are primarily used to delineate an area of the carriageway for cyclists, warn motor vehicle drivers of the presence of cyclists and to encourage them to adopt a line of travel away from cyclists. When cyclists are using the advisory lanes drivers should not drive in them, however when there are no cyclists present then vehicles may use this space.
The measures are being introduced as part of the Spaces for People programme, run in conjunction with, and funded by, the Scottish Government, Sustrans and Transport Scotland.
Peebles To Peel 40mph trial
Councillors have also agreed that as part of the ongoing Peebles to Peel 40mph trial, the stretch of road between Walkerburn (east) and the Craigmyle turn off will revert back to the national speed limit. All other sections of the road will remain at 40mph.
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Infrastructure, Travel and Transport:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a change in travelling habits, leading to an increase in walking and cycling.
“The Spaces for People programme and the funding obtained has given the Council the opportunity to trial a wide variety of measures across our towns and villages that make these methods of transport safer and help meet increased demand.
“The feedback from the recent public consultation overwhelmingly showed there was little demand for cycle lanes along Peebles High Street and at Eastgate and the Council has taken the onboard.
“The purpose of these trials is to strike the right balance by considering the public’s feedback and make changes where appropriate.
“The Peebles to Peel 40mph trial has been running for some months now and has been an extremely positive move in helping make our backroads safer for everyone. As a result of the feedback we have received it is being altered slightly with a section of the road reverting back to the national speed limit.”