Another success this week, A small one in the scheme of things but, as I’ve said before, little localised problems can have a big effect on those who live alongside. This one I’ve also had to wait for a long time for completion, as it was passed by Teviot & Liddesdale Area Committee last September.

The problem was the constant puddle of water which lay at the bottom of South Liddel Street in Newcastleton, at the junction with Walter Street. This was a bad place: the beginning of the riverside path, the end of the area where people camp at Music Festival time, and on the bend where traffic strays on to the grass to let other vehicles pass. The earlier photo shows the problem, while the others show the new drain and road surfacing in all their glory, on the day the job was finished. Hopefully, this will clean up this area.

It does give some job satisfaction when I can help residents, so please do get in touch if there is some issue that you feel could be attended to.

May I wish everyone a healthy and successful 2010. So far it’s been dominated by matters of weather. Several weeks of snow and ice restricted movement and activities from Christmas onwards. There has been lots of praise for the very professional job done by the Council crews but of course there have also been comments made about lack of salt / grit,, and slower clearance of smaller roads and streets. The Council went into the winter with more salt in store than normal. When it became obvious that the cold spell was going to last longer than usual, salt supplies became scarce and it was harder to renew stocks. The cost per ton of those supplies increased threefold! The winter maintenance plan prioritises the roads and streets of the Borders and in the conditions of early January the emphasis was on Trunk and A Class roads first so that essential supplies could get through, then B and C Class roads after that. Within towns, this meant that through roads were the priority, then hills, then other side streets. Grit bins were not refilled for a time as supplies had run down centrally.

On this occasion there was certainly a need for residents to consider clearing snow and ice from their own accesses. Clearance by contractors could only come when machinery could get there, and when the weather allowed. Indeed in the clearance phase, payments to private contractors who had been engaged to help SBC crews were running at £80000 per day, and the overall cost of treatment and clearance has at 21st January reached over a million pounds. Fingers crossed that there’s no repeat of these conditions.

The other big event for us (Lib Dems) was the visit of Nick Clegg last weekend. He faced a public meeting in Tower Mill on Friday evening (15th) and then spoke at the South of Scotland Liberal Democrat Conference at Hawick Rugby Football Club’s premises on Saturday. This was an good weekend, with excellent networking and with participation by all of our elected representatives – Mike Moore MP and Jo Swinson MP, Jim Hume MSP, Jeremy Purvis MSP, and George Lyon MEP, as well as a selection of local Councillors. Maintaining the weather theme however, Nick Clegg met earlier on Saturday morning with representatives of Hawick’s Volunteer Flood Group. He was very impressed and stated that he wanted to introduce the idea to his own town of Sheffield. On Tuesday at Teviot & Liddesdale Area Committee meeting in the Town Hall, this Flood Group then launched its own website. Visit it at http://hawickfloodgroup.co.uk   It looks as if it will be a tremendous resource. This group is looking for sponsors at present, so if you feel you can help, contact me and I’ll put you in touch directly with the organisers.

Planning issues are to the fore at present: especially the proposed crematorium next to Wairds Cemetery at Melrose, and the proposal for a 20 flats development in Bourtree Terrace in Hawick.

It’s clear that a crematorium is needed within the Borders to avoid long and stressful journeys to Edinburgh. That part was never in doubt. The opposition has been voluble however in seeking to have the application turned down because the site is in a National Scenic Area designation on the lower surrounds of the Eildon Hills. I visited the location a few days before the Planning Committee meeting to judge the position for myself. I was concerned that the capacity of the chapel might be too small, and wondered why there was not to be more parking within the grounds, but discussion at the meeting reduced my doubts, and I was happy to agree to the proposal. The decision made to approve is certainly in the interests of my own constituents in Hawick & Hermitage, as well as of people more widely across the Borders. The application now goes to Scottish Ministers for agreement as Scottish Natural Heritage had objected on the grounds of the National Scenic Area location.

At Bourtree Terrace, the proposal was for two blocks incorporating 20 flats. Block 1, nearer Bourtree Place, was to be two storey, while Block 2, up and around the corner, was to be three storey. I would like to see Bourtree Terrace developed, as the mix of empty or unused workshops and open spaces does nothing for this area near the town centre, or for neighbouring residents. These blocks would also contain sustainable housing, in that being near to shops and services would not require residents to use cars.

However, there were three problems – traffic in the street, the particular situation of the house at 5 Bourtree Terrace, and the impact on the residents of Douglas Haig Court, a sheltered housing block behind the site. I moved that the application be accepted, but with an additional condition that Block 2 could not be higher than two storey. This was unanimously accepted by the committee, and a consequence also was that the number of 20 flats was removed from the permission.

This safeguards the amenity of the residents of Douglas Haig Court, bringing the height of Block 2 back into line with other surrounding buildings. Planners were already unhappy with the proposed design of these blocks so the redesign could involve a review of the number of flats which can be placed there.

Traffic problems will be countered by the placing of a large turning area at the elbow bend in the Terrace, and perhaps by a reduction in the number of flats. These should also be ideal flats for those without a car.

The case of 5 Bourtree Terrace will have to be settled by negotiation between the developers and that house’s owner, and by a legal settlement, as walls are shared between the house and the garage next door which is to be demolished as part of the scheme.

At Weensland Cauld, the earthmoving work of straightening out the banking and covering it with ‘rip-rap’ blocks has now been finished, and the seeding of the ledge behind the rock and the planting of a group of alder and willow trees at the spot is to be done by end of October.

 Two main points arise:

This work was undertaken as part of a bigger project which will involve the reduction or removal of the island in midstream next summer. This will be awkward as the sewer pipe goes through it. There is also apparently a gas main crossing the river diagonally about the same area. I can however see the benefits for Mansfield if the river is straightened and cleared. Vegetation removal on the scale of what was done in the spring is unlikely to happen annually.

 This is because of the influence of SEPA / SNH. It would appear there was a trade-off when the licence was obtained for the current work at Weensland. Permission was given and in return environmental work had to be done: tree planting, grass sowing and significantly the leaving of the sandstone structure which had been the pillar at the entrance to Weensland Mill lade. This is apparently seen as a habitat for birds, bats etc..

 A representative of the SBC Flood Engineering team is being arranged to attend and speak at the October meeting of Teviot & Liddesdale Area Committee on 20th (6.30) probably in Lesser Town Hall.

I’m delighted to report that the wooden staircase from Liddesdale Road up to the old railway line is now complete, and that the whole Waverley Walk can now be used from Lynnwood to Bucklands at the far end of Burnfoot.

Thanks to Euan Calvert, Assistant Access Officer at the Council who took on the project so enthusiastically, to Darren Silcock at SBLocal,  and to the Community Justice team who constructed the staircase very quickly, and in such a manner that even the most unfit walker should be able to make it up - as far as the seat which they so thoughtfully built in!

The Millers Knowes is looking pretty good at present. The play area looks well tended and safe and secure for families. The benches and picnic tables have cleared grass around them and tracks leading into them. I’ve had comment that one or other of these is in an unexpected – i.e. less obvious – location, but so much the better – a choice for those who might like a picnic away from other people. The big change however is in the steps leading from the Weensland Road gate to the top of the hill. These have now been completed and the community service volunteers, working under Community Justice organisers, have made a marvellous job of them. It’s good that their work should be publicised,. The public may have little idea what ‘100 hours of community service’ might mean and here on the ground is the evidence! The steps, or stairs, make for a steep climb, admittedly, and I’d personally have a problem with this, but I do feel the main benefit is that they provide a safer route up, and perhaps especially down, on wet grass.

Next step at the Millers Knowes is again to cut back the grass on the actual track on the former BMX area, and then later in the year to do some more work on cutting back the gorse.

Meanwhile, work is due to start on Monday 20^th July at the Liddesdale Road end of the old railway line, where the Six Arch Bridge was, to create a safe route up the banking on to the railway walk, which I see as Waverley Walk Phase 2, allowing a round trip for walkers from the town centre.

The Council’s Flood Advisory Group has agreed that progress with the second set of Flood Protection Schemes (i.e. after Galashiels and Selkirk which are the first set) should commence with Hawick. Advantage can be taken of the work being done in procuring a design consultant for the Selkirk scheme. The same process can be used and it’s expected that, once the tender documents have been issued for Selkirk, a contract notice, for design work, can be advertised for Hawick. During financial year 2009/10 therefore the plan is to procure a consultant, to review studies, and to determine what the options are.

A draft programme shows the Flood Protection Scheme Order process being completed by August 2012. The FPS Order is an official stage. It means that the Government has given the go-ahead for work to be done, after there has been public consultation, and with parties who might be affected. For example, preventing flooding in one area could mean that someone else is at greater risk.

Meanwhile the Council has been investigating the channel of the River Teviot. It has suggested that the remains of the Weensland Cauld might be restricting the flow of the river, and that its removal, taken along with clearing vegetation on the river banks, and the removal of a gravel island nearby, could reduce flood risk to properties in the area. The vegetation clearance was done in March, the Cauld removal is planned from August and will perhaps take about eight weeks, and the gravel bar work will be done in 2010. This last piece of the jigsaw is complicated by a Scottish Water overflow pipe lying within the gravel bar. The removal of this gravel is being taken forward as a test case with SEPA. Consideration will also be given to possible widening of the river channel at Weensland.

In Newcastleton, it is proposed to lay a new surface water road drain along the main street, South Hermitage Street. The drain will run from Douglas Square to a temporary outfall into the Short Sike, a small burn, which flows into the Liddel Water. This new drain has been designed to deal with problems associated with the existing combined sewer system in the village being unable to cope with flows during prolonged periods of heavy rain. This is a first phase of the drainage improvement works. Work on this has now started and is expected to take 26 weeks.

Future phases will involve a new channel to cut off overland flow from the hills to the west of the village and to divert flow from a number of small streams that currently run through the area known as ‘The Lakes’ before flowing into the Liddel Water. This channel will enter the Liddel Water downstream of the sewage treatment works, about 1km south of the village. When this is completed the Phase 1 drain will be extended to discharge into the new channel.

Ron has been pursuing a scheme with Council officers recently to improve walking access in the Liddesdale area. At present the Waverley Walk comes into town at Bucklands in the north east, and follows the old railway line to the Teviotdale Leisure Centre. End of story! However if we cross the Waverley Bridge then walk along Mart Street and up Linden Crescent to the bend, the railway walkway continues (in front of Waverley Terrace) behind the Melgund Bar, across Lochpark and then further along the railway past Wellogate cemetery and Stonefield and towards Liddesdale Road. This is where the problem comes in. At the eastern end of the old Six Arch Bridge, the walk ends with a scramble down a steep shaley banking which is unsafe for most users to negotiate.

Teviot & Liddesdale Area Committee has now approved spending £1900 for the Community Justice squad (using Community Service Orders from court) to construct a flight of wooden steps from Liddesdale Road up to the railway walk. This should provide safer access and will encourage the use of the old railway line for walks through the whole length of the town. Ron is referring to this as ‘Waverley Walk Phase 2′.

At present a search is being done at Council for ownership of this little section of banking. Railway property passed to Hawick Town Council after the demise of the line, and then to Roxburgh District Council and to SBC, so the track itself is owned by SBC. The question remaining is whether the area around the base of the pillars supporting the Six Arch Bridge came into the same ownership. When this query is resolved, the wooden steps will be installed.

Time to look back over some recent issues with which Ron has been involved and to check on progress.

The Bottle Bank at Weensland has been installed and is being used. It’s not as close to Weensland Road as Ron would have liked, as there were land ownership issues, but hopefully it will make recycling of glass a little bit easier for nearby residents.

Weensland Road has been the focus of several improvements. A year ago, Ron organised for a parking lane to be marked off near a row of houses at the edge of town, and the centre line of the road to be moved over. Damage to parked cars has greatly decreased. More recently, after pressure by the ward councillors, a length of Weensland Road was reinstated to the Roads programme, then resurfaced during late February and March 2009. However not only has this section a shiny new surface but so also has a short section nearer town and a long-term problem area just short of the Mart Street roundabout, after representations by Ron.

The Drumlanrig Square project has moved more slowly than expected. However funding has now been identified and traffic regulation orders will soon be consulted on. Hopefully the remodelled Square will be in operation during financial year 2009-10.

The management plan for the Millers’ Knowes has moved forward. The children’s playground has been cleaned up and made more secure. Paths and steps have been improved. Additional benches and picnic tables have been installed. The broom which had spread all over the former BMX track has been cut away, and the gorse on the hillside has been trimmed to provide a path through it, and open zones around benches. The open BMX track is now a blank canvas – open to suggestions!

In the Terraces area of Hawick, Ron has been much involved with an area of ground between Park Street and the old railway line, now a walkway behind Melgund Place. This was a fairly rough area with access hidden behind a wall of vegetation. After discussions with neighbours, Ron has encouraged the removal of this vegetation, the collection of litter and the use of the area for garden and allotment ground. An environmental improvement!

None of these developments could have progressed without the help and cooperation of Council officers. Ron is extremely grateful to a selection of these officials. To name them risks leaving someone out, so, simply: ‘Thank you’.

Ron and fellow Councillors are disappointed that the feasibility study they had asked for on the possible site for the Caravan & Camping Club at the rear of Wilton Lodge Park has not yet been produced. Planning & Economic Development officials at SBC had been instructed some months ago to consider the potential costs of the scheme which might fall on the Council, such as upgrading of access roads, and the relocation of Changing Pavilions and associated utilities for sports clubs. He stated that all Hawick Councillors are behind an additional Caravan and Camping site for the town but want much fuller information. The Caravan & Camping Club seem prepared to make major investment in the town but in return require a site large enough for 75 or more pitches with a lease of 99 or 125 years.

Hawick councillors are all behind an additional caravan and camping site in principle. They understand that the Caravan & Camping Club favoured the site shown to them beside the Changing Pavilion at Wilton Lodge Park. However not all councillors feel that this site is ideal. For this reason, they asked Planning & Economic Development officials at SBC to carry out a feasibility study which would reveal the potential cost to the Council associated with the leasing out of this site for a period of around 100 years. These costs could include upgrading the access roads through the park, and from Martin’s Bridge, relocating changing pavilion and floodlights to another area of the park, and supplying services - electricity and water - to that new area if necessary. These costs also have to be set alongside public reaction to the scheme at this location.

Councillors would prefer to have several sites to show the Caravan & Camping Club. On their visit they were shown a site at the Moor as well as at Wilton Park. These were under Council control. Galalaw might also be an alternative. The need is to find a relatively level site with good road access within easy reach of the town centre. Private landowners could perhaps also offer suitable alternatives.