Galashiels man welcomes installation of crash barriers on A7 - two years after truck carrying digger landed in his garden
Last updated 14th Feb 2024
The former chairman of the Borders Vintage Automobile Club is welcoming the installation of crash barriers outside his home in Galashiels - two years after a truck carrying a digger left the road and landed in his garden.
David Pratt, who lives in a property at the side of the A7, near Glenmayne, revealed the incident in February 2022 was the sixth smash on that stretch of road - between Selkirk and Galashiels - in 15 years.
He had asked for a crash barrier to be installed at the time. And today (Wednesday), BEAR Scotland - which looks after the trunk road on behalf of Transport Scotland - announced work will start later this month.
Speaking following the crash two years ago, Mr Pratt said: "It's a silly situation here. They've only just renewed the barrier all down here - why? I don't know. There's never been an accident down that way, but on this one stretch, with this corner, there have been six (crashes); and no-one seems to be doing anything about it.
"We have a neighbour down there who was walking the dog ten minutes before that happened - exactly where it's fallen on the other side."
WATCH: Click on the link below to view a video of the crash...
Describing the difficulty of turning out of his drive, he added: "Bear Scotland never keep these bushes down to give you a clear sight; you look that way and you decide to go and all of a sudden a car comes round that corner at 90mph, and boom! There's going to be a really bad accident one day."
When Greatest Hits Radio broke the news to him today, an obviously delighted Mr Pratt said: "It's fortunate there hasn't been a fatality."
The road was closed for more than 12 hours following the crash to allow the vehicles to be recovered, but the lorry driver - who was badly bruised - escaped serious injury.
Heather Kelly, who was one of the first on the scene, said: "I noticed the lorry was on its side and we rushed over to make sure everything was okay. The driver was conscious and he had managed to cut himself free from the seatbelt.
"I had shakey legs and my heart was beating out my chest as we weren't sure the driver was okay until we got there."
The vehicle restraint system, as it's described by BEAR Scotland, will be installed between The Hawthorns cottages and the footpath leading to Boleside, over a four-week period, starting on Monday, February 26th - weather permitting.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “It’s necessary for safety to close one lane of the A7 at Boleside while we carry out these improvements.
“Temporary traffic lights will be in place, however we don’t expect this to cause significant delays. We’re grateful to road users and local communities for their patience and understanding.”
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/