Tuesday September 22nd 2026
Road traffic officers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Police Scotland’s withdrawal of the the last remaining traffic officers based in the Scottish Borders is a “retrograde decision”, councillors will be 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 the 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.
As well as the relocation of officers from Duns to Dalkeith, traffic police from East Lothian have also been moved to the Midlothian station.
The changes mean many roads policing officers now face drives of up to an hour to reach their base before starting their shifts behind the wheel.
Police Scotland says the relocation of traffic officers to neighbouring Midlothian would not have any impact on patrols.
But there is particular frustration that the decision was taken without public consultation.
When members of Scottish Borders Council meet on Thursday, September 24, a motion is to be presented calling for “mitigation measures” to be introduced to support communities worried about speeding traffic and other issues.
The motion, from Independent councillor Robin Tatler, states: “Scottish Borders Council is surprised and disappointed to hear that Police Scotland intend to remove regular road officer patrols from the Scottish Borders and replace this with cover based in Midlothian.
“This decision was taken without any public consultation. Given that there are over 3,000 km of roads in the Borders, and that there continue to be serious issues relating to speed and driver behaviour on these roads we consider this to be a retrograde decision and one which will not be welcomed by our rural communities.
“This recent move follows an earlier decision by Police Scotland to remove from service a number of speed cameras on Borders roads, a move which was also taken without prior consultation and that was opposed by local councillors.
“We request that the Chief Executive 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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