Motorists parking illegally in Borders towns could face a crackdown if plans for a second council-funded police team to work alongside the one launched last year are approved this Thursday, February 28.

Scottish Borders Council’s administration is proposing that another community action team of seven officers be recruited to join the existing team in operation since last April.

The new team would cost £265,000 a year on top of the £282,000 bill the council is already footing for the current one.

Among the issues it would tackle would be parking problems in Borders high streets, but councillors are warning that it is still too early to say how much of an impact that would have, even if council-employed parking attendants were thrown into the mix too.

That note of caution is being sounded despite figures released earlier this month revealing that the present team of one sergeant and six constables handed out 172 parking tickets and carried out 21 static road checks during the third quarter of its first year in operation, from October to December.

That followed 241 parking tickets being issued and 20 static road checks conducted from July to September, carrying on from 219 parking tickets and 40 static checks during the preceding three months.

The council’s parking issues working group has published a review of problems in the region including recommendations for enforcement, signage and double-yellow lines.

It has spent over a year carrying out surveys, researching the availability of parking and investigating the cost of enforcement measures.

The report highlights some of the problems that motorists in the Borders face, saying: “It is clear that parking in the Scottish Borders attracts much comment.

“Human behaviour is such that some people think it acceptable to park just for a minute in an inappropriate place, and once one person does so, others follow suit.

“Off-street car parks are often not used to their full extent if they are not in the immediate vicinity of people’s work or where they wish to shop.

“While non-car use is encouraged, people seem to be reluctant to walk other than for a very short distance from where they park.”

The working group has come up with six recommendations for the council, and, after being postponed for a month, it will be presenting those recommendations to the council’s executive committee on Tuesday, March 12.

Its suggestions are a review of traffic regulation orders so that all Borders towns have the same parking and waiting restrictions, erecting signage at long and short-stay car parks, updating single and double-yellow line markings, launching a media campaign to encourage Borderers to play fair when parking and considering new enforcement measures.

However, those recommendations will come at a cost, with the report estimating that the council would need to find between £326,750 and £904,650 to pay for the measures proposed.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, chairman of the working group, said: “A great deal has been spoken and written about parking in town centres and elsewhere in the Scottish Borders – from the abuse of traffic restrictions, to the demise of the traffic warden service and the seeming lack of monitoring or enforcement.

“Parking in town centres is vital in ensuring people can access the goods and services they need, playing an important part in the Borders economy, and also has a crucial role to play in managing traffic and congestion.

“We have examined the extent of parking restrictions and availability in Border towns, the position on enforcement, including the potential for decriminalised parking enforcement, and options for the future.

“This examination has allowed us to take account of many different views and also provided us with an insight into wider parking behaviours in the Borders.”

The council’s service director for assets and infrastructure, Martin Joyce, is recommending that councillors accept all but one of the working group’s ideas as he believes that enforcement should be addressed by the current community action team, a joint venture by Police Scotland and the council, and any additional future one.

The working group’s report adds: “Enforcement of parking and waiting restrictions is seen as a continuing issue.

“The misconception still remains that it was the council which had employed and then removed the traffic warden service, rather than Police Scotland.

“The council investment in the police community action team may go some way to assisting with enforcement, but as the team has only been in place since April 2018, it is too early to make a judgement on its effectiveness in terms of parking.

“The council employs parking attendants to monitor and enforce its off-street car parks, and they could be further deployed to monitor on-street parking and advise the police of areas of concern.

“Cost will need to be included as a determining factor in any future enforcement regime.

“It is unlikely to be affordable for parking attendants to be permanently based and patrolling each town on a daily basis.”

Young dancers from the Borders met a dancing idol last week, fresh from her appearance on Saturday night television.

Members of Kelso-based Elite Studio Centre were given tuition from Rhiannon Moore, a young Edinburgh dancer who appearanced on BBC talent show The Greatest Dancer, last month.

The 20-year-old from Burnisland, Fife, joined hundreds of danceres of all ages and styles to compete to win £50,000 and a chance to perform on Strictly Come Dancing.

And while the five-time world diso freestyle champion failed to make it past the public vote stage of the competition, she proved a winner with the Border dancers and their studio directors Amanda McNally and Zelie Jennings.

“The Kelso dancers had an amazing time at the dance event,” Amanda said. “They are now forever inspired in dance and they worked so hard at the weekend to fully take on everything they were taught in the workshop, using the visual of Rhiannon’s ability and passion to enhance their understanding.”

The visit came about thanks to Rhiannon’s studies at the Performaing Arts Studio Centre, based at Edinburgh College, where both Amanda and Zelie have taught her for the past two years.

“She is a kind, enthusiastic, modest and talented person who is a joy to teach,” Amanda added. “She has a close relationship with Elite Studio Centre and attends dance intensives with us.”

The Kelso dance school teaches around 50 young dancers with members ranging from two to 16 years old.

South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne has hit back at claims she denied the existence of the bedroom tax introduced by the UK Government in 2013.

Mrs Ballantyne told last Thursday’s meeting of Holyrood’s social security committee that there is no such thing as the controversial measure, sparking criticism from her Scottish National Party oposite numbers.

“There’s no such thing as a bedroom tax, so I wouldn’t even go down that route,” she told SNP depute leader Keith Brown.

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame was among those to take issue with that assertion, saying: “It is completely unbelievable that Michelle Ballantyne would deny reality like this, although admittedly not without precedent.

“These comments were outrageous, and her disregard for the real-life consequences of the hated bedroom tax cannot be ignored.

“She should apologise, and instead of dismissing the two-child cap or suggesting that the poor shouldn’t have children, perhaps the Tories should start listening to the real-life experiences of those facing genuine hardship as a result of the UK Government’s welfare policies.

“The Scottish Government will continue to do all in its power to mitigate these harmful policies and support those families affected by them.”

Mrs Ballantyne has hit back at that criticism, however.

Clarifying that the title of bedroom tax was only a nickname applied to the under-occupancy penalty created by the 2012 Welfare Reform Act, the former Selkirkshire councillor, a list MSP since May 2017, explained: “The point I was making in committee was simply that the so-called bedroom tax is not actually a form of taxation.

“It is the removal of the spare room subsidy on socially-rented homes that used to be paid to families receiving housing benefit when the size of their house was larger than the benefits they were entitled to.

“It’s disappointing that Christine Grahame and the SNP are choosing to confect a row over terminology rather than engage on important issues.

“As the Scottish Government start to exercise their new social security powers, my focus is to ensure that social security in Scotland helps people in the best way possible.”

A controversial housing development in Peebles is being recommended for approval by councillors next week despite widespread opposition from neighbours of the site.

West Lothian-based Persimmon Homes East Scotland has applied to Scottish Borders Council for consent to build a 71-home housing estate on farmland beside the South Parks industrial estate.  

However, its plans have come in for criticism from residents, sparking objections from 112 different households and the town’s community council.

A further 28 letters in support of the application have been sent to the council, though.

Concerns have been raised about the capacity of the 2.3-hectare site, pressure on local amenities and safety on nearby Caledonian Road.

One objector, Terry Dakin, of Edderston Ridge View, writes: “Access to this development is only via Caledonian Road. This road is full to capacity already, and putting over 100 extra vehicles on this road is a recipe for disaster.

“The local community cannot support the extra burden upon resources such as doctors, schools, dentists, water and sewage without substantial increase in provision of these services.

“The committee appear to be on another planet when it comes to investigating the many objections to this development. Maybe if you lived here, you would see that all points raised are very valid points and must be considered.”

Peebles Community Council says that Persimmon’s plans go far beyond the number of houses proposed in the regional council’s local development plan, complaining: “As Persimmon points out in its design and access statement, Scottish Borders Council has stated that for this particular site the indicative value of units is 50.

“Persimmon have therefore made an application that is outside of the scope of the local development plan.

“There is little doubt that if this application is allowed to succeed, the residential amenity of this part of Peebles will be damaged severely and contrary to planning policy.

“The scale and form of the proposed development is unacceptable, and, inevitably, any such development will lead to increased traffic and noise.

“This application is in breach of a number of planning policies.

“The traffic assessment and road safety report are flawed.

“The developers, for reasons of their own, have taken this application beyond and outside the scope of the current local development plan.

“It is the view off the community council that this application should be rejected.”

Peebles Civic Society also objects, pointing out that the number of houses proposed is 40% more than are earmarked for the site in the local development plan and voicing concerns that Caledonian Road does not have the capacity to safely cater for the additional traffic 71 homes would generate.

Kerry Scott, a director of neighbouring firm Scotland Overland, objects too, saying: “Access along Caledonian Road is currently problematic due to volume of traffic. The proposal to erect a further 71 houses , with an inevitable increase in traffic, would cause further signficant congestion.”

A quarter of the homes proposed would be desgnated as affordable.

Persimmon’s plans for detached, semi-detached and terraced homes offering two to four bedrooms south of South Parks will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s planning and building standards committee on Monday, March 4.

Principal planning officer Craig Miller is recommending that councillors approve the application subject to various conditions.

In a report to the committee, he writes: “The proposals are considered to be an acceptable development of an allocated housing site within the local development plan, providing additional private and affordable houses to meet demand and local need.

“The density, design and layout of the development comply with policies and guidance and the impacts on visual amenity, road safety and infrastructure are considered acceptable, mitigated by conditions and contributions where required.”

Ex-Melrose coach John Dalziel has retained his Greenyards trio among the 13-man squad named for this weekend’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Las Vegas.

Sam Pecqueur, Nyle Godsmark and Ross McCann are included once again, while Edinburgh Rugby scrum-half Charlie Shiel is a new addition to the line-up.

Godsmark is back to fitness after becomeing one of several Scotland players injured during their last outing in Sydney.

The squad is also boosted by the return of Glenn Bryce, Harvey Elms, Jamie Farndale and Robbie Fergusson.

Jack Cuthbert has also recovered from a hand injury to be involved in a travelling party for the first time this season.

Scotland have been drawn against Fiji, Australia and Wales in the Pool stages of the Las Vegas tournament.

Core players Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors), Mungo Mason and Ally Miller (both Edinburgh Rugby) have not been considered for selection and will remain with their respective professional clubs.

Sevens head coach Dalziel said: “Training has gone well and, with such a short turnaround from Hamilton and Sydney, our key priority has been getting the squad recovered and back to full fitness.

“The medics and support staff have done a great job to get everyone back and available in such a short period of time.

“We have also been able to provide key cover to the pro teams during this time, with Kyle Steyn and Robbie Fergusson in training with Glasgow Warriors and Ally Miller and Mungo Mason in with Edinburgh.

“Robbie, our co-captain, has re-joined the squad here in Vegas, which is a huge boost. Kyle and Ally have made a great impact with both Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively, which is great for the guys and also for the 7s programme.

“On the other side, it’s great to have Charlie Shiel come in from Edinburgh to gain exposure and continue his long-term development. He is an exciting up and coming talent who will really benefit from exposure at this level.

“We are thankful for the continued support of both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby.

“Looking ahead to the tournament, we have a bit of a mountain to climb, with Fiji and Australia up first, and then Wales to finish off a really tough group.

“However, the players have responded to the challenge and know it’s about getting our game back to the performance levels we saw in Hamilton.”

The Scotland 7s squad to compete at the fifth leg of the 2018-19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports is:

Scott Riddell, Nyle Godsmark, Alec Coombes, Robbie Fergusson, Harvey Elms, Glenn Bryce, Jamie Farndale, Charlie Shiel, Sam Pecqueur, Gavin Lowe, Max McFarland, Ross McCann, Jack Cuthbert,

Scotland 7s fixtures in Las Vegas (kick-off times in GMT):

Friday, March 1 – 11.22pm, Scotland 7s v Fiji 7s.

Saturday, March 2 – 2.01am, Scotland 7s v Australia 7s; 7.30pm, Scotland 7s v Wales 7s.

Sunday, March 3 – TBC.

Police have launched a witness appeal following a spate of break-ins in the Borders earlier this week.

It began with a break-in and theft from an auto valet hire premises in Waverley Place, Newtown, sometime between 5pm on Monday and 7.45am on Tuesday.

After entry was forced to the building, a power drill was stolen from inside.

Officers are now looking to establish if this break-in is linked to a number of other attempted similar crimes in the vicinity.

Between 3pm on Monday and 9am the following day, business premises in Lauder, Newtown and Earlston were all subject to attempted break-ins.

They were: a shop in West High Street, Lauder; a restaurant in Melbourne Place, Newtown; a hair salon in The Green, Earlston and a bakery in High Street, Earlston.

No entry was gained and nothing was stolen from within any of these properties.

Detective Sergeant Callum Peoples from Galashiels CID said: “Given the time period over which these incidents all occurred, we are looking into the possibility that the same individuals are responsible.

“Anyone who believes they have any relevant information that can assist with our inquiries into these offences is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101 and quote incident number 516 of February 26.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Borders optician’s firm which set its sights on the former Jedburgh post office shop will open its second clinic there in April.

Hawick Opticians is creating two new jobs through its expansion over the Dunion and brings back into use a High Street shop empty since the post office branch’s closure over a year ago.

Husband-and-wife team Lee Street and Tom Dunningham are expanding their business four years after they took over the Howegate-based WM Glennie Opticians in Hawick.

The couple, who have four children and are originally from Yorkshire, have worked as opticians for almost 14 years.

They employ three staff in Hawick, and the new shop in Jedburgh will create at least two more jobs.

Jedburgh’s post office branch at 39 High Street, moved to within the McColl’s convenience store in Canongate in January last year after Roy Weatherup, postmaster there for 27 years, retired.

Renovations are ongoing, and the new Jedburgh optician’s will be open six days a week from Monday, April 1.

Improved access to recycling facilities could be on the way for Jedburgh residents, albeit not in the form they’ve been hoping for.

Scottish Borders Council is looking at introducing a mobile service to cover the town, a move which would rule out any chance of townsfolk getting their own dedicated recycling centre.

The plan is due to be debated by councillors tomorrow.

With a budget outline for costs already agreed, it could be delivered this financial year if councillors agree.

Jedburgh is the largest town in the region without its own facility, so residents must travel to Hawick or Kelso to recycle waste, and Duns, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Peebles and Selkirk all have their own facilities too.

Townsfolk have been crying out for a centre for years, and even more so since councillor Scott Hamilton pledged to push the issue upon his election in 2017.

But last week he told the town’s community council: “Where we are is at a point where there is not the financial input to have a nirvana for recycling, but with community involvement there is some potential there still.”

His update came a week after the local authority announced changes to opening hours at its seven centres which will see each closed for at least one day a week.

Community councillor John Taylor said: “We are the third worst region in the whole of Scotland for recycling rates. It’s an appalling state to be in, and the council is going to tackle that by not only not giving us a recycling centre and by reducing opening hours at the existing ones.

“I cannot figure out how we are going to improve.

“Are we happy to just pay the fines for not hitting targets and leave it to the next generation to sort out?”

Councillor Jim Brown added that he hoped any plans put forward today do not rely on community involvement as there was little appetite last time around, he said.

“There is an amount of deja vu here,” he said. “We went down that route in 2015, when it was suggested we have skips in the town run by volunteers.

“The community council was not for it then.

“Let’s hope that something better than that comes up on Thursday that everyone can agree on.

“If that’s the case, I will support you all the way.”

Tweedbank Indoor Bowling Club has enjoyed one of the most memorable occasions in its recent history.

The Galashiels club staged the prestigious Scottish League Cup Final between Falkirk and Midlothian last Saturday.

The club was chosen for its day to cherish because one of its members, Robert Fulton, is the Scottish Indoor Bowling Association president.

Tweedbank’s president, Malky Thin, said the fact one of its players was in such a position, and the club was accommodating the game, made it a really big occasion.

“It really was a huge day for the club,” he said afterwards.

“It was easily one of the biggest events we have had and gave us the chance to showcase what we can do as a club.

“Obviously, we got this game through Rob Fulton being the SIBA president but, as Tweedbank president, it was a pleasure to host it.

Falkirk started the game well but, as it wore on, Midlothian fought back.

“The noise in the stadium at this point was incredible,” said Malky. “Just how the game should be played.”

Midlothian’s experience, with their raft of international players, showed in the end, as they ran out 84-72 winners.

Five Borders College beauty students are sitting pretty in the national finals of an industry competition after winning through regional heats.

Hairdressing and fashion make-up students Claire Boyle, Cheryl Johnstone, Zoey Grahame, Brittany Barnes and Baillie Steele will now compete in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists contest final in Blackpool next month.

Going head to head with students from the south of Scotland in the first round of the competition at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus on February 11, each finished in the top three of their respective categories to book their place in the finals on March 13.

Claire, of Selkirk, won the first-year ladies’ commercial blow dry, with Hawick’s Cheryl named runner-up.

Zoey, of Kelso, won the ladies’ commercial cut and blow dry category, and Brittany, of Galashiels, was second in the evening style section.

Heiton student Baillie came third for 1940s make-up.

Wendy McCutcheon, a hairdressing lecturer at Borders College, said: “We decided it would be a fantastic experience for the students to be part of this competition and also a great opportunity for them to showcase their work.

“We are extremely proud of what the students have achieved and are now looking forward to the finals in Blackpool. Hopefully we can bring back more silverware.“

Brittany, 23, said: “What an experience taking part in the competition was. Everyone involved did brilliantly.

“All the practising and hard work paid off, and the support from everyone involved was amazing.

“I’m so grateful for the whole experience and was delighted to get second place in my category.

“Finals, here we come.”

The students are now preparing for the national finals where they will compete against colleges from all over the UK.

Walkers will still be able to stroll along a popular section of the River Tweed after one of our readers told us that her favourite route had been blocked off.

Sheila Elliot, of Kelso, was disappointed to see a sign saying ‘no unauthorised access’ blocking her way to the river just across from Floors Castle on the outskirts of Kelso.

She said: “It’s such a shame that this lovely walk along the Tweed is now prohibited.

“As we don’t have any trespass laws in Scotland, perhaps this sign should be removed.”

It does appear to have been a bit of a mistake as when we contacted Roxburghe Estates, we were told that the sign would be taken down immediately.

Estate factor Roddy Jackson told us: “Thank you for contacting us about this sign.

“I understand one of the estate ghillies put it up with the intention to stop vehicles, not walkers, but it will be removed immediately as I agree it is an attractive riverside walk and walkers are very welcome.

“I would be grateful if you would kindly pass on our apologies to the person who contacted you.”

We did. And a delighted Sheila told us: “I really appreciate your help with this and look forward to once again enjoying this lovely walk.

“A big thank you on behalf of all walkers both local and visitors to the area.”

Public access rights were created by the 2003 Land Reform (Scotland) Act, allowing people to be on or cross most places in the country in a responsible manner, but it does not apply everywhere.

Places where public access rights do not apply include houses, gardens and non-residential buildings and associated land, land in which crops are growing or next to a school, as well as airfields, railways, quarries, construction sites and military bases.

Visitor attractions or other places that charge for entry are also on the list.

Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir has heaped praised on staff at Borders General Hospital after making an unscheduled three-day stopover there last week.

The 48-year-old, diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the end of 2017, was forced to pull out of engagements at home and abroad after suffering a punctured lung.

However, he was anxious to assure followers of his charity’s Twitter page that his admission was due to an accident and was unrelated to his ongoing fight for life.

The former lock also thanked staff for their care and praised the Melrose hospital’s food.

He said: “Just a wee note to say that last week I took a bit of a cowp – I tripped over a power-wash hose – and did myself a bit of damage, namely puncturing a lung, which is why I missed the Winter Words Festival in Pitlochry and the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monte Carlo.

“Things weren’t progressing so quickly as the doctors wanted, so I had to spend three nights this week in ward seven of the Borders General Hospital, bed and full board.”

Edinburgh-born Doddie, awarded the Order of the British Empire in the latest new year honours list, began his professional rugby career at Melrose in 1991, remaining there until he moved south to play for Newcastle Falcons from 1995 to 2002.

Capped 61 times by his country, he ended his playing days with the now-disbanded Border Reivers in 2005.

Doddie, of Blainslie, added: “A big thanks you to the doctors, nurses and staff for all their care, help and attention – and the dinners were magic.”

Thankfully, or, given the result, unfortunately, Doddie was back home in time to watch television coverage of the 27-10 defeat by France of the Scottish national team, captained by fellow Borderer Greig Laidlaw, in the Six Nations in Paris at the weekend.

That was their second defeat on the bounce, following a 22-13 loss to Ireland.

The popular Border Counties Rally makes its return to the British rallying calendar on March 16.

Many competitors are eager to sign up to the event, which was forced to take a sabbatical in 2018 because of severe weather across the north of the UK.

Jedburgh will once again play host to the Hawick and Border Car Club and Whickham and District Motor Club organised rally, which sees an overhaul in 2019 including new stages and a different format for the 19th running of the event in the town.

The 12th Century Abbey will watch over the event as scrutineering, documentation and the ceremonial start take place under its shadow, before crews head out to tackle six stages and 45 miles of competitive driving in the Kielder and South of Scotland forests.

Those fortunate to complete the event will be welcomed back to the Abbey with the now-traditional pipe band signalling their return for the finish celebrations.

In a shift to the running order from previous years, crews with two-wheel-drive cars will be able to sample some of the smoothest conditions in the Kielder forests, as they will run first on the road before the main field follow closely behind.

Complimenting the shift in format, for the first time since 2014, the event will utilise stages in the north of the Kielder complex. The Forest Enterprise car park at Greenside will become the event service area and will be visited twice during the day.

The rally is the opening round of the 2019 KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship and it will be joined by the ANECCC SG Petch Rally Championship, C2 Ecosse Challenge, Border Challenge and HRCR Motoscope Northern Historic Rally Championship.

With entries open, a strong field of competitors has already committed to starting, with many keen to sample some of the best stages in the North. As the only gravel rally based in the Scottish Borders, the Border Counties Rally provides a unique opportunity to compete in some iconic forests and two-time event winner Jock Armstrong has laid down his intentions early.

In a bid to secure a third Scottish title, Armstrong will bring his familiar Subaru Impreza to Jedburgh with co-driver Cammy Fair alongside.

Fellow double SRC champion and Duns resident Euan Thorburn has launched an early entry in his new Ford Focus WRC, co-driven by Paul Beaton, while ANECCC Championship sponsor Stephen Petch will make the short trip north from Durham in his Ford Fiesta WRC, co-driven by Michael Wilkinson.

Some names from the past have also emerged on the list of entries so far, including Alistair Brearley, who won the event twice in the 1970s with an Opel Ascona and a ‘full house BDA’, returning with a Ford Escort Mk2 and Paul Barbet alongside.

Clerk of the course Clayton Lackenby was delighted to see the return of the rally in 2019.

“We were disappointed we could not run the 2018 event owing to the unprecedented wintery conditions we experienced in March, but safety is our number one priority,” he said. “We have created a fresh new look to the event this year and provided our crews with some fantastic stages and a great day’s rallying in some iconic forests. Jedburgh is the perfect host and we thank all the townsfolk and businesses for embracing the rally once again. We will be delighted to welcome competitors and fans to the rally next month and everyone can be assured of a warm welcome in the Borders.”

Marshals are also required for the safe and smooth running of the event. Chief marshal Guy Whickham would like to hear from anyone who is interested in volunteering either on or off the stages.

He can be contacted on 07989 322186 or at marshals@bordercountiesrally.co.uk.

Event regulations and the online entry system are available at www.bordercountiesrally.co.uk

A first phase of works to improve the road and pavements along Bongate in Jedburgh gets under way today.

Traffic lights will be in place on the main A68 through the town between the filling station in Edinburgh Road and the Bongate’s junction with Waterside Road from this morning to tomorrow afternoon.

It forms part of resurfacing and pavement improvements works aimed at improving the road for visually-impaired people.

Pat Shields, of Amey Highways, said: “We have been given some budget from Traffic Scotland to help improve the road surfacing for people with visual impairments.

“That means we will be taking away some of the flagstones and putting in better drop kerbs as well.

“Work will start in March, and it will take between two and three weeks.

“They will involve both sides of the carriageway, and traffic lights will be used during the resurfacing works.”

Amey Highways has confirmed it will also be working with Scottish Borders Council to fix the Bongate’s lights within the traffic islands along the residential route as they are failing to light up at night.

Mr Shields added: “The works start from the filling station at Edinburgh Road down to the Bongate’s junction with Waterside Road.

“There may be times when residents cannot park outside their homes for a while and have to park across the road instead, but they will always be able to get inside their houses.”

News that Hawick looks set to get its new high school sooner than previously thought has met with a mixed reaction among the town’s councillors.

Hawick was controversially passed over as a priority in the council’s recent school estates review in favour of Galashiels, now due to get a new high school in 2023.

That proposal, agreed in November, meant Hawick would have had to wait until at least 2026 to see a new high school built, but an extra £20m loan now being lined up means that one could potentially be opened within the next five years instead.

And while town councillors have welcomed that commitment to accelerate the project, some have raised questions over the means of delivering it.

“I have got a lot of folk that are struggling to make ends meet, and they feel another 1% rise in council tax, on top of the 3% already agreed, is just unacceptable,” Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson said.

“I obviously welcome the idea of the new school being brought forward, but I am getting of people telling me they are unhappy about that 1%.

“I feel that’s what the administration is trying to push, but I am unhappy about the 4% rise too, and there’s other things in the budget that I want to see looked after as well.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage accused the council of stooping to a “magic trick”.

“What we are being offered by the Tory budget is very doubtful to succeed,” she said.

“This is the Tories at their best. It is simply a magic trick.

“Look over here – we are giving you a new Hawick High School, but when you actually look into it, it is all smoke and mirrors.

“In December, the council tax was raised to 3%. Two months later, the Tories want to raise it again to 4% and shoehorn their budget through.

“This is unfair as the Borders has a low wage economy and will target, yet again, the less well off in our society.

“I have received many complaints since Thursday from members of my ward about this increase.

“But let’s be realistic. The opposition have included, in their budget, a new school for Hawick plus three primary schools without having to increase council tax, and remember that both budget plans are provisional until the Scottish Government pays for their half of a new school.

“It is all very well to make grand pronouncements, but we have to be prudent with our spending.

“I have real concerns over the direction that this administration are leading us, having spent nearly £10m on Lowood and splashing the cash on digital learning to the tune of £16m with no consultation or understanding if it will actually improve and raise attainment in our schools.

“On Thursday, we will be debating these issues, and I will be watching the Tory-led administration and their sleight of hand, but I will not be fooled by this behaviour.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor and town provost Watson McAteer said: “I welcome the commitment being given by both the Conservative-led administration and the Scottish National Party-Liberal opposition to ensure that Hawick High School is now a priority, with a new build expected to commence in five years.

“While I, along with fellow Hawick councillors Stuart Marshall and Clair Ramage, intend to meet Scottish Government officials to attempt to shorten this timescale, I am reassured that we have at last the basis of a plan that will be fantastic for young and old in Hawick and our local area.

“It is, however, completely unacceptable that the future of our young people is being in any way politicised, and those claiming to be instrumental in forcing this agreement need to look long and hard at their contribution to the process.

“I have absolutely no doubt that without the very high profile and public challenge both councillor Marshall and I have pursued, this essential project would have been buried at the expense of a relentless and totally unjustified focus on Galashiels and Tweedbank.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall said: “I think everyone in the town will welcome the news that plans for a new high school are to be accelerated, and I have no doubt this news is a direct result of both councillor McAteer and I raising the importance of such a project at the highest level at Holyrood.

“Both Watson and I intend to carry on pressing ahead with our meeting with the Scottish Government in order to try and shorten the timescale for delivering this much-needed campus.

“Whilst the Conservative-led administration is claiming credit for this announcement, all of us should remember that politics should play no part when planning for the future of our young people.”

Fellow councillors Neil Richards and George Turnbull, however, have defended the move.

Hawick and Denholm representaive Mr Richards said: “This budget is great news for Hawick and will mean a new school for the town much earlier than expected, and we’ve been able to largely protect front-line services and invest in the education of our young people.

“I’m not interested in playing politics with this issue and have instead been determined to get Hawick High School delivered as soon as possible.

“It was the right decision last year to approve the plans for the four new schools, and going back to the drawing board would have meant today’s announcement wouldn’t have been possible.

“This budget shows that Hawick is a priority for Scottish Borders Council and it is good news for the town.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Mr Turnbull added: “We have been faced with yet further cuts, and this has been a really tough budget process.

“By raising council tax, we have managed to protect front-line services and plough some much-needed investment into Hawick High and into education in the Borders more generally.

“Because we are now able to borrow more, it will also mean Hawick will be receiving its new high school alongside Galashiels.”

“This is a strong budget for Hawick which will protect front-line services, maintain bus subsidies and invest in our young people.”

East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the authority’s executive member for children and young people, is also upbeat, saying: “Galashiels Academy was identified as the most immediate priority in our secondary school estate, and we’ve identified £3m to enable that to be progressed through a revenue-funded model like that at the new Kelso High.

“This administration has also been able to allocate £20m match funding for a capital-funded model to deliver a new Hawick High School faster than initially thought, providing the necessary additional funding is made available by the Scottish Government.

“The council has invested millions of pounds in improvements across school buildings in recent years, including new early-years facilities, and this administration will continue to fund that programme of works, in addition to providing brand new schools where they are required, to support our young people, staff and communities.

“The programme of secondary school replacements has been identified, and we’re committing the necessary money to ensure this programme is progressed, and in Hawick’s case accelerated.

“By the end of this administration we also hope to be able to identify the timeline for the replacement of Selkirk and Peebles’ high schools too.”

The death of a 28-year-old Borders woman last night is being treated as drug-related but not suspicious by police.

Officers and paramedics were called to a flat in Carlin Court in Tweedbank at around 7pm yesterday, February 27.

The woman was taken by ambulance to the Borders General Hospital in Melrose but died a short time later.

She was named this morning as Kerry Dunse.

A second woman was taken to hospital as a precaution last night too.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We believe this is a drug-related death but there are no suspicious circumstances.

“We were contacted shortly before 7pm last night and went to an address in Tweedbank.

“We believe she died shortly after arriving at hospital.

“A second woman was also taken to hosptial for assessment.”

Scottish Borders Council has voted to increase council tax by an extra 1%, adding to a previous 3% increase agreed in December.

At a meeting of the council on today (Thursday, February 28), councillors agreed to the rise in a narrow vote between the Tory/Independent-led administration and SNP/Liberal Democrats/Independent opposition councillors.

Ultimately, the administration won the vote 17-16, meaning that Borders residents face a 4% council tax in April.

Speaking in support of the extra council tax rise, council leader Shona Haslam, who represents Tweeddale East, said: “This was not an easy decision and we had many heated debates about this.

“Since agreeing to raise council tax by 3% in December we have received a budget settlement from the Scottish Government that is far worse than we expected.

“A workplace parking levy and tourist tax are not suitable nor desirable in the Borders. We’ve been left with no choice but to raise council tax by 4%.

“This was difficult for me, a Conservative, to stand up here and ask for us to raise council tax. It does not sit well with me or my Conservative colleagues in the room, but due to constant pressure from the Scottish Government we have to do this.

“The blame for this rests at the door of the SNP’s finance secretary Derek Mackay, nowhere else.”

The extra rise in council tax will raise £600,000 a year for Scottish Borders Council, which will be used to leverage a loan of £20m, which will be used to bring the construction of a new high school in Hawick forward, with the intention that a new school will be opened in Hawick within the next five years.

Scottish Borders Council has indicated that it must save £29.5m over the next five years, but despite this there are numerous areas of additional spending in the 2019/20 budget.

This includes spending £16m over 10 years to gives every P6 to S6 pupil an Apple iPad; funding a second community action team, comprised of seven police officers; and spending an additional £3m on extra care housing in Hawick, Kelso, Eyemouth and Peebles.

Stuart Bell, leader of the opposition, spoke out against rising the council tax further: “The administration’s 4% council tax rise in not thought through, it is not justified, it is not necessary and it is not fair.

“Council tax was set at the December meeting and I told the council then that it was premature, because the administration could neither tell the Borders public what they’d get for increased taxation, nor had we a definitive financial settlement from the Scottish Government.

“The administration must stop, yet again, trying to blame their woes on the Scottish Government.

“It’s not fair on businesses and families who were planning for the 3%, it’s not fair on those facing economic uncertainty, who might lose their income through the Brexit the Tory party is pulling down on this country; because council tax is on property and not on income.”

Summing up her argument, councillor Haslam added: “This is not just about proposing a balanced budget, it’s about proposing a budget that will invest in the our communities.”

Here's some of Grant Kinghorn's photos of the cast in action. Remaining performances are tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, and a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Warning: There's a fair bit of swearing and sexual references, so best drop the kids off at granny's before heading over.

The woodland paths at the Haining will be closed to the public in sections during weekdays over the next month or so.

Some preparatory work was conducted over the weekend, and the first stage, on the land next to the main town centre car park, will be started in the next couple of weeks.

Jeremy Thompson, project manager at Forest Direct, told the Wee Paper: “What we are looking at here is a complete transformation of access and woodland at the Haining.

“Basically, what we are doing is upgrading existing paths or putting in new ones, as well as viewpoints.

“We’ll also be undertaking woodland management, to thin out the trees and the rhododendrons.

“We will be looking at closing off sections of the paths as and when we are working on them during the weekdays, and we’ll be trying very hard to ensure they are back open for the public to enjoy at the weekends.”

The work has been made possible thanks to a successful bid for grant funding from the Forestry Commission’s Woods in and around Towns fund.

The Haining Charitable Trust received £200,000 to complete the work, which will completely transform the woodlands and create better viewpoints along the paths system.

The Georgian mansion was gifted to the community of Selkirk 10 years ago, and it is now a top visitor attraction, as well as a venue for events such as weddings and concerts.

A 32-year-old man has appeared in court, accused of stealing a bus from Galashiels Transport Interchange and driving off while unfit through drink or drugs.

Simon Ness also faces a charge of dangerous driving after police tried to stop the public service vehicle during Tuesday night’s incident.

He appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court, where he was remanded in custody.

Ness, from Penicuik, faces a total of eight charges which also includes failing to give a specimen of breath, no insurance, no licence, failing to reveal the identity of the driver of a vehicle and breaching bail.

He made no plea and the case was continued for further examination.

Sheriff Peter Paterson refused a motion for bail and Ness was remanded in custody.