To whoever has just abandoned a Sainsbury’s trolley outside our new Peebles clinic: please stop.
Abandoned Sopping Trolley in Peebles South of the Pentland Hills.
This might seem like a convenient place for you to leave it, but it is far from convenient for us—or for our patients.
Whilst we have been in Peebles for a year we only just moved into our new dedicated clinic in the Scottish Borders south of the Pentland Hills.
During our very first week, we have already treated a significant number of patients with foot problems and restricted mobility. That is hardly surprising: we are a medical podiatry clinic. A trolley left outside our premises can obstruct the pavement and make access more difficult or potentially dangerous for someone who is already struggling to walk.
We have spoken to a member of staff at Sainsbury’s, who has said that someone will be sent to collect it. They laughed when we suggested contacting the police—missing trolleys are apparently not covered by company policy!
We may not be sending the “bovver boys” round and requiring the culprit to hire Jack Reacher for protection, but we do take this seriously.
Under section 59 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, an item must not be placed or deposited on a road—including the pavement—if it causes an obstruction without the consent of the roads authority.
If this happens again, we will:
Keep a photographic record of each incident.
Pass relevant evidence to Sainsbury’s and Scottish Borders Council.
Report any obstruction of the pavement through the appropriate council service.
Publish photographs of the abandoned trolleys—and, where lawful and appropriate, the circumstances in which they were left.
We live close to the clinic and will be keeping an eye on the area.
Please return your trolley to Sainsbury’s after using it. Do not leave it outside a medical clinic where it may obstruct patients, particularly those with limited mobility.
A few extra minutes of consideration can prevent a genuine access problem for someone else.
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