Renewed drive to reduce speed of traffic at spot where 11-year-old girl was struck by bin lorry
Last updated 18th Mar 2024
Figures dressed in high-visibility jackets have been placed at the side of a Borders road where an 11-year-old girl was involved in a collision with a bin lorry.
It's hoped the move will alert drivers to the danger of pedestrians on the road and slow traffic down.
Elizabeth Bell died a week after the incident on the A6105 in East Gordon on January 31st.
The scarecrow-type designs have been named "John" and "Mark", after local MP John Lamont and Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley.
Their appearance follows concerns children are having to stand at the side of the road - which has a 60mph limit and no pavement in many places - to await school transport.
Greatest Hits Radio understands locals have already met with police and councillors to discuss their concerns.
One told us: "It's not the first accident here, but it's the first where somebody's lost their life.
"Some (motorists) are now going slower, but some are not - they're still going the same speed. It's night-time (that's the worst), they just flee up and down there."
And she added: "It still feels pretty raw. Every time we come up that road we think about that wee lassie."
Scottish Borders Council's pledged to "fully review the circumstances" around the tragedy, which involved one of its bin lorries.
A meeting heard that Wednesday morning had begun as normal, with Elizabeth making her way to school in Earlston, in anticipation of meeting her friends and teachers.
A GoFundMe page set-up to give the youngster the best possible send-off described her as "a bright, friendly, kind and caring soul".
Her teacher, Derrick Brydon, added: "Elizabeth was incredibly astute and her wicked sense of humour shone through."
Police today (Monday) confirmed enquiries into the incident are "ongoing".
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