Drive to reduce speed of traffic in Borders village after girl, 11, involved in collision with bin lorry
Last updated 7th Feb 2024
There's a drive to reduce the speed of traffic passing through a Borders community.
It comes just days after an 11-year-old girl was involved in a collision with a bin lorry.
The youngster was left fighting for her life in hospital following the incident on the A6105 road in East Gordon - although police have given no indication that speed was a factor.
It happened as children were making their way to school, shortly after 8am last Wednesday.
Today it was announced a pupil at nearby Earlston Primary had died - with the local church opening its doors to offer the community its support.
In a post on social media, local MSP Rachael Hamilton said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the upsetting incident in (East) Gordon, especially the young girl and those close to her.
"After speaking with local residents, I have written to Lothian and Borders Police and spoke with Scottish Borders Council officials urging them to look at reducing the speed limit in the village."
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Parents have voiced concerns that children are having to stand at the side of the road - which has a 60mph limit and no pavement in places - to await transport to school.
One said: "Maybe they need to rethink where the kids get picked up for school as on the side of a 60mph road isn’t safe."
Scottish Borders Council has confirmed one of its bin lorries was involved in the incident, and it's assisting police with their enquiries.
A spokesperson for Earlston Parish Church said: "Following the tragic passing of a pupil at Earlston Primary School yesterday, Earlston Church will be open this afternoon (07/02/24) between 3 and 7pm for anyone, including children and parents, who would like to come in for some quiet space to reflect and pray.
"The prayer team will be there to support and provide refreshments."
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The council is providing support to the staff involved, and it revealed support is also in place for pupils and staff at relevant schools.
Inspector Ross Drummond, from Police Scotland, said: "Our enquiries into this collision are ongoing and we are keen to speak to the drivers of other vehicles which were travelling on the A6105 at the time.
"We would also ask anyone who may have dashcam footage that captures the vehicle or the pedestrian involved prior to the collision happening to contact police."
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