Peeblesshire News | News | Calls for improvement at killer junction

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 1st August, 2008 12:00

Calls for improvement at killer junction

By David Knox

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Fresh calls are being made to improve Leadburn’s lethal junction.

A two-car crash last Friday was the latest in a long line of accidents at the horrific blackspot linking the A701, A6094 and A703.

A fatal accident in 2005 led to a massive appeal for better safety at the crossroads.

And small schemes involving resurfacing and cutting back vegetation were carried out.

Midlothian Council announced in 2006 that following a study around the Leadburn area it would redesign the roads layout by introducing a roundabout.

And £400,000 of funding towards the project was secured from SEStran.

But almost two years on, work has failed to begin.

And more calls are now being made for urgent action.

Tom Flynn, who lives only a few hundred yards from Leadburn, said: “The junction really scares me.

“It is a disaster area and a roundabout would end almost al of the problems. Speed is the real issue just now and a roundabout would slow cars down.

“We were told some time ago that a roundabout was coming – where has it gone?”

Funding difficulties have held the project up this year.

And roads chiefs at Midlothian Council are now attempting to source new poys of cash for the roundabout.

A spokesperson for Midlothian Council said: " During the last year some temporary works to improve the existing junction have been carried out and some preliminary design work for a roundabout has also been undertaken.

“However, as SEStran no longer receives direct funding from the Scottish Government, Midlothian Council, in conjunction with SEStran and neighbouring authorities, is investigating alternative methods of funding this project.”

Local MSP Jeremy Purvis told us: “I certainly don’t believe there should be any delays with these safety measures.

“Funding had been secured and the detailed designs have been done.

“Leadburn is clearly a problem area for accidents and work should take place sooner rather than later. I will be asking Midlothian Council for assurances.”

Work has begun at the junction – but on the site of the former hotel.

Leadburn Inn dated back from 1777 and was a popular stop for both travellers and locals.

But the six-bedroom hotel was burned to the ground in November 2005 after a car ploughed straight through the junction and into the front walls.

Driver Michael Newtown died in the impact.

And despite fire fighters spending three hours battling the blaze the entire building was destroyed.

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