Drive to improve road safety in village close to spot three killed in motorcycle tragedy
Last updated 1st Aug 2024
A Borders village close to the scene of a motorcycle tragedy which claimed three lives at the weekend is driving calls for more traffic-calming measures to make the road safer.
A cardboard cut-out of a police officer holding a speed gun stands guard at the entrance to Chesters.
But former community councillor Caroline Smith says many motorists on the A6088 continue to ignore it.
Reflecting on Sunday's incident, she told Greatest Hits Radio: "The sense of feeling is that it was inevitable because so many bikes pass us and, of those, a certain proportion go far too fast.
"We'd been having lunch (on Sunday) and heard two bikes in particular go very fast and, about 20 minutes later, we began to hear sirens in the distance.
"And we knew it was going to be bad as we had five police cars, two ambulances and an air ambulance."
She added: "We've spoken at the community council meetings about having chicanes put in, like at Otterburn (in Northumberland). Pop-up Bob outside, and the speed sign, is the first thing, but it has taken years."
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from the scene...
Two men aged 30 and 37, and a 23-year-old woman, died after two bikes - a Suzuki and a Kawasaki - were involved in a collision on the rural road, between Chesters and the Carter Bar.
Emergency services raced to the scene - near the Scotland-England border - after the alarm was raised around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon.
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Flowers have been left on a fence which has been given a temporary repair after one of the bikes ploughed through it, landing in the neighbouring field.
It happened just a day after another local resident - who we've agreed not to name - sent a letter, addressed to Police Scotland's Chief Constable, warning of a fatal accident unless action was taken to address the speed of some drivers using the road, which is popular with touring bikers on both sides of the border.
It is unclear if speed was a factor on this occasion.
Police say investigations are continuing, and are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information or dashcam footage that could help to contact them.
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