BEAR Scotland has continued to strengthen relationships with local communities, elected representatives and key stakeholders across South East Scotland in recent months to ensure local voices are reflected in project development and decision-making.

New MSPs

Following the Scottish Parliament elections in May, we reached out directly to newly elected MSPs to build relationships and improve awareness of BEAR Scotland’s role maintaining and operating the trunk road network.

Each MSP received an information pack outlining the services we provide on behalf of Transport Scotland and key contacts for enquiries. This proactive approach was designed to establish communication channels with elected representatives and help ensure they have access to the information they need to support their constituents.

Timely information on projects

Communication and engagement is also routinely carried out at a local level before and during any works that might have an impact on residents, businesses or road users.

When work is required on routes adjacent to residential properties and businesses, we take extra care to ensure that local people are kept informed of what to expect and have the opportunity to ask questions and let us know of any issues.

For example, prior to recent works to install a new pedestrian crossing in Biggar town centre, letters explaining the project were hand-delivered to all neighbouring properties, as well as stakeholders already on our distribution lists. We knew the works would have an impact on local people so we wanted to give something back and donated £750 to a local charity.

Different issues in different places

On the southern part of the A1 diversion routes are often lengthy or difficult for heavy traffic to negotiate due to lack of viable options for trunk road traffic. Because of this we’ve sought enhanced engagement with all the affected communities. A series of meetings with local community councils has again proved invaluable in shaping and improving the way we manage works requiring road closures.

As a result of these discussions, separate diversion routes for northbound and southbound traffic were implemented for overnight resurfacing works, and a significant amount of additional signage was installed at locations where issues had been identified.

Potential Selkirk pedestrian improvements

Where opportunities for longer term improvements to the trunk road network are being explored, it is important that the views of local communities are understood and taken on board. For example, proposals for improving pedestrian safety around the A7 through Selkirk town centre are currently being consulted on by Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland and Scottish Borders Council.

As well as carrying out our own detailed analysis, we gave local people the opportunity to highlight issues via a drop-in event, stakeholder meetings and a specially developed website where they could feed in their views. Once proposals had been worked up, a public exhibition was held, and local people were again invited to share their views online.

BEAR Scotland’s South East Engagement Manager Joanna Buggy said: “BEAR Scotland aims to deliver a high level of service tailored to stakeholder needs through effective engagement.

“The variety of proactive outreach and stakeholder engagement that we carry out has helped communities across the South East keep informed about works that affect them, and ensured they have the opportunity to ask questions, raise issues and influence planning where appropriate.”

ENDS