Scottish Borders parking warden return weighed up

Scottish Borders Council has agreed to carry out a study of 12 towns looking at the viability of bringing back parking wardens.

The old service was removed by Police Scotland two years ago.

The local authority has been told in the past that has led to "reduced compliance, poorer traffic management and increased public complaints".

Now it is to spend about £35,000 looking at parking and traffic management across the region.

It will examine the situation in Peebles, Innerleithen, West Linton, Galashiels, Lauder, Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, Duns and Eyemouth.

It will report back with its findings in September.

However, if it concludes wardens should return, it would cost the council around £200,000 to set up and could not happen for at least two years.

The Scottish government would have to agree and give the council the necessary powers.