Road closed following crash - just hours before new speed limit becomes enforceable
Last updated 6th Apr 2025
A Borders road has been closed following a crash - just hours before a new speed limit, designed to make it safer, comes into force.
Emergency services were called out to the incident on the B6357 at Saughtree around 3.25pm this afternoon (Sunday).
The route is currently (5pm) closed between Saughtree and Bonchester Bridge and motorists are being urged to avoid the area.
It comes the day before the road's 60mph limit is due to be reduced to 50mph, as part of an 18-month trial aimed at reducing the number of smashes - although it's unclear if speed was a factor on this occasion.
The initiative, which is targeting roads popular with motorcyclists, will also see top speeds cut on the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk, A7 north of Galashiels, and the A6088 between Kielder and Bonchester Bridge.
In a statement released to Greatest Hits Radio, Philip Kerr, from Southdean Community Council, said: "We note the arrival of the speeding trial on Monday and, as a community, very clearly want to see how the enforcement measures come in, having seen the infrastructure appear.
"That will be very important for the success of the trial and, although we have heard the outline of measures intended, we would like to see how this takes effect in practice.
"The roads have been much busier since early March, with better weather and the clocks have now changed too which has increased activity again."
And he added: "We remain very concerned at the level of speeding and the threat to residents, and the clear impact that recent accidents that have taken place have had on our community."
READ MORE: Renewed drive to reduce motorcycle deaths in the Scottish Borders
The pilot is a joint initiative involving Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Police Scotland’s Road Policing unit in response to an increase in motorcycle crashes and casualties on rural roads.
The trial has been made possible by funding from Transport Scotland’s £10m Road Safety Improvement Fund.
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Sergeant Dave Waddell, from Police Scotland's Roads Policing Department, said: “The majority of killed and seriously injured collisions in the Scottish Borders do not take place in towns or villages, but on open country roads and that is where our casualty reduction efforts are focussed.
“The A7, A708, A6088, and B6357 are popular recreational routes for motorcyclists, and they continue to feature in road policing patrol plans for the 2025 Motorcycle Safety Campaign. This will involve patrol and enforcement activity in both marked and unmarked vehicles by Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit.
"In recent years, Police Scotland Safety Cameras has carried out short term deployments over the summer period on the A708 in order to improve speed limit compliance. These short-term deployments will continue, and it is hoped that drivers/riders will be influenced to remain within the speed limit and reduce the risk on the road for all road users.”
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