Plea for urgent review of road safety in rural communities across the Borders following bin lorry tragedy
There's a call for an urgent review of road safety in rural communities across the Borders.
It follows the death of an 11-year-old girl - a week after she was involved in a collision with a bin lorry on the A6105 in East Gordon.
Mid-Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley has raised a special motion inviting Scottish Borders Council to record its "profound sorrow" following the tragedy, and identify any "additional measures" that can be taken.
It comes after we reported parents' concerns that children are having to stand at the side of roads with no pavements - and a 60mph speed limit - to await school transport.
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The motion - which is due to be discussed by councillors at their meeting on Wednesday, February 21st - asks that: “Scottish Borders Council records our profound sorrow and extends our condolences to the parents, family, friends and neighbours of 11-year-old Elizabeth Bell, who tragically died following a road traffic accident involving a Council refuse collection vehicle at East Gordon on the A6105 on 31st January, 2024."
It goes on: "This Council calls for an urgent review to be undertaken, in consultation with colleagues in Police Scotland, to respond to the concerns expressed by residents of East Gordon about the speed limit on the A6105 and the opportunities for any additional road safety measures at East Gordon."
And adds: "Officers should swiftly bring back to Council a report identifying what additional measures can be taken to improve the safety of our residents, especially pedestrians and school pupils accessing school transport, both at East Gordon and in and around our other rural communities situated on roads in the Scottish Borders where the national speed limit applies, such as the A6105.”
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video of traffic at East Gordon...
It's understood Elizabeth - who has been described as "a bright, friendly, kind and caring soul" - had been waiting for transport to school in Earlston when tragedy struck.
An online appeal set-up to help her family give her "the best possible send-off" has raised almost £10,000 less than a week after being launched.
Kevin Wilson, Headteacher at Earlston Primary School, said: "Following the tragic news regarding Elizabeth, we have received lots of messages of support and condolences for the parents. The suggestion made this week was for there to be a GoFundMe page created to support Elizabeth’s parents during this challenging time, so that they can give her the best possible send off."
Local MSP Rachael Hamilton has already written to Police Scotland "urging them to look at reducing the speed limit" in East Gordon.
Officers say enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
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