Borders police 'will tackle' traffic issues

Police said they would deal with parking issues where local concerns were raised

A police chief has said officers will enforce parking regulations in the Borders following the removal of the region's traffic warden service.

There were concerns of "mayhem" in town centres as a result of Police Scotland ending its provision.

However, Assistant Chief Constable Mike McCormack told Scottish Borders Council they had listened to the public.

He said they would focus on dangerous parking but would also deal with other issues where there were local concerns.

"We will concentrate on double yellows and zig-zags at pelican crossings and zebra crossings," he said.

"However, where we have complaints or concerns raised by local communities about the question of people overstaying or staying too long in parking zones we will tackle that."

Changes to legislation in relation to most parking offences mean that there is no longer a requirement for enforcement to be carried out by the police.

A number of Scottish councils have already introduced Decriminalised Parking Enforcement but the Borders is not among them.

The authority has been advised to set up a working group to look at options including introducing its own warden service.