Friday September 25th 2026
Road traffic officers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Police Scotland’s withdrawal of the last remaining traffic officers based in the Scottish Borders is “part of a pattern”, councillors were told this week.
For the first time in almost six decades no dedicated patrols are operating out of the region – which has about 2,000 miles (3,200km) of public roads.
Roads policing bases in Galashiels and Hawick were closed over the last decade with the final remaining depot at Duns station closing at the end of last month.
The four remaining traffic officers who were based in Duns are now working out of Dalkeith.
When members of Scottish Borders Council met on Thursday, September 24, a motion was passed calling for “mitigation measures” to be introduced to support communities worried about speeding traffic and other issues.
Independent Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler, who presented the motion, lamented a “steady decline” in policing resources within the region.
He said: “This is part of a pattern. Last year the speed cameras that we had were taken out of operation, with bags placed on top of them to say they weren’t in operation.
“Again there was no initial consultation. This is part of a steady decline in policing resources for the Scottish Borders.
“We do feel that we are being, effectively, left behind here. We need a realistic and sensible approach to policing.”
It was a view echoed by fellow Tweeddale East Conservative councillor Julie Pirone, who added: “Our police forces is again being withdrawn slowly, incrementally, in the Borders. It’s almost to our police force that we don’t matter.
“We are already struggling in the Borders, we only have 100 or so police officers available to us and for somewhere which has three thousand miles of roads that is quite difficult if there is crime and other incidents happening.”
The motion requested that the council’s Chief Executive David Robertson write to Police Scotland “expressing our concerns and asking what mitigation measures will be implemented to support our local communities who are concerned about the continuing lack of action on speeding and road safety”.
Police Scotland says the restructuring was a necessity due to continued funding pressures.
Supt Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing, said: “We have previously outlined the need to implement a sustainable model for road policing across the country.
“Road policing officers will continue to operate in the Scottish Borders and provide a visible presence to keep the roads safe.”
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