THE 20mph speed limit on some Galashiels roads will be removed, a councillor has revealed.

Scottish Borders Council introduced the controversial restrictions in October 2020 as part of a trial under its Spaces for People scheme.

At a meeting of the community council on Wednesday (November 3), Galashiels representative Harry Scott announced that some “revisions” are set to go ahead.

“There’s been some criticism and some love of them [the limits] but the plan at the moment is for a revision,” the independent councillor said.

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According to Mr Scott, the 30mph limit will be reinstated “on the road leading to the recycling centre past Melrose Gait and Coopersknowe”.

A “buffer zone” of 30mph will also be placed from the town boundary on Melrose Road to near the junction with Hawthorn Road, with new 20mph signage to be erected from that point to indicate the change in limit.

Winston Road will also have its 30mph limit reinstated down to the roundabout with Galafoot, says Mr Scott.

He confirmed that the 20mph limit will stay on Wood Street, as well as on “all the residential schemes” in the town.

Member of the public Richard Lees said that “a lot of people have universal disapproval of these 20mph limits” on social media, and asked Mr Scott if the council has a way of measuring the advantages of the scheme.

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Responding, Mr Scott said: “I’m not an expert but I do know if a child is struck at 20mph they have got a 50 per cent more chance of surviving than if they’re struck at 30mph.

“There have been some concerns about an increase in pollution but I’m reliably told that a car travelling at 20mph in the proper gear exerts less pollution than one travelling at 30mph.

“My information is that the 20mph limit is overall a good thing. I do share with you some reservations about whether 20mph is really a requirement for a ‘through road’ in a town but I think what is being proposed by the officer is reasonable and I certainly don’t have any objection to it.”

The 20mph speed restrictions are part of an 18-month council trial covering 91 towns and villages in the Borders.

The aim of the scheme is to make it easier for people to safely walk and cycle during everyday journeys.

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Changes to the restrictions were also announced at a meeting of Selkirk Community Council meeting on Monday (November 8).

On the A7 into Selkirk from Galashiels the 30mph is to be reinstated up to Viewfield Park, then 20mph through the town thereafter.

A 30mph limit on the A7 from Hawick will also be reinstated – however police and road safety officers have yet to decide where.