Last autumn a suggestion was made to your Community Council relating to the bus stop on the north side of the High Street adjacent to the Chest, Heart and Stroke charity shop. Feedback suggested that those with disabilities, people with push chairs, and prams, walkers and wheelchairs had difficulty in accessing the bus when boarding and the step down when alighting. This was due to the parked cars and the step up from the road. There was also anecdotal evidence of the odd bicycle cutting in between the parked cars and the bus creating an obvious hazard.

PCC debated this and concluded that there was a good case to approach SBC, but that most of our residents would need to be in favour. Consequently, we commenced a consultation to be concluded in November last. This stretched until March this year and 60% of respondents were in favour.

The consultation included launching the question on Facebook, questioning attendees at a coffee morning, questioning Peebles Pensioners and questioning passengers whilst riding on the busses. Not surprisingly, there was a wide variation in views, only a few of which can be recorded here.

Those against the proposal listed: additional congestion, the loss of one parking space, too near the roundabout, “buses shouldn’t stop on the High Street at all”, “don’t mind walking between the cars”, “the idea is good but too near the roundabout”,

Those for the proposal listed: the only bus stop on the north side, “safety first”, “yes as a wheelchair user it would mean I could get off the bus”, “this would benefit a lot of people”, would not increase congestion as the traffic is held up anyway, “although the bus would continue to hold up traffic when stopping at that bus stop it would be stationary for less time as passengers would be able to disembark onto the build out more quickly than the present arrangement”,

Additionally, buses and taxis should all be moved to the Eastgate, three buses at the post office cause congestion (PCC agrees), everything should be reviewed and no piecemeal approach (PCC agrees), remove pedestrian crossing as dangerous, “Whilst it’s good to do this for the people who need it, I think it’s too near the roundabout so would cause more congestion on the High Street.

In conclusion, a 60 – 40 majority was in favour of the suggestion and the main objections related to the loss of one parking space and additional congestion. However, whilst the loss of one parking space would be a given, and parking is undoubtedly a serious issue; increased congestion would not occur as the bus stops anyway. Further, the lady who thought a build out would reduce the time that the bus will stop, is probably correct with a consequential slight reduction in congestion.

In concluding as to whether PCC should support this, we must always think of others and the overall effect. The bus is a lifeline for some people. To remove the stop would hinder some people accessing the shops at that end of town. To make the stop more accessible may allow more people to shop there. The comment that considered that it isn’t a problem going between the parked cars seems to forget that we all get older, we sometimes have accidents and we may all need that buildout someday. Therefore, PCC supports the suggestion.

Peter Maudsley
Chair, Peebles and District Community Council

As always: support or comment to Anne Snoddy (Secretary PCC)