Pressure applied for Leadburn improvements

Published 26 Feb 2010 13:15 1 Comment

LONG-AWAITED plans to improve one of the most dangerous junctions in Scotland are being driven forward this week.

Councillors on Scottish Borders Council yesterday (Thursday) were told that a site meeting has been organised with colleagues at Midlothian Council at the Leadburn Junction to discuss its future.

It follows a catalogue of crashes including one which killed a pensioner last month.

Campaigners have called for a roundabout to be installed at the junction, where the A703 and A701 roads meet, to make it safer and save lives.

Until now cash-strapped council chiefs in Midlothian, who are responsible for maintaining the junction, have put the brakes on any plans.

But, this week, Tweeddale East Councillor Neil Calvert raised a motion at Scottish Borders Council urging Leader David Parker to write to the neighbouring authority to seek their proposals and plans for improvements.

He branded the number of accidents at the junction "unacceptable" and demanded action "as a matter of urgency". And his motion was given the full support of the council yesterday.

Tweeddale West Councillor Catriona Bhatia, who revealed the road was a vital between Edinburgh and the Borders, said: "I think it's important that we urge them to make improvements but I think it is equally important to offer our support to find a solution."

Midlothian Council refused to release any details of the site meeting planned at Leadburn junction next week - despite repeated requests.

Over the past decade four motorists have lost their lives at the Leadburn junction.

Plans for a £900,000 roundabout were drawn up four years ago and initial studies were completed but funding was withdrawn and Midlothian Council then withdrew the junction from their priority list.

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• 

  Hazelkaye
  Unregistered User
  Feb 27, 17:03
  Report comment

  "Driven forward"! How else ?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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