Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 12:49pm

Leadburn calls rejected by Transport Minister

by David O'Leary

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LOCAL politicians and councillors have reacted angrily to claims by Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, that he has no influence to move forward improvements at Leadburn Junction.

In a letter this week, Mr Stevenson, said that improvemments could be delivered through the Concordat, which empowers local authorities to deliver improved public services through increased freedom over how they plan, manage and fund services.

And that the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places a statutory duty on local authorities for the repair, maintenance and improvement of all local roads in the area.

But he then stated: "Responsibility lies initially with Midlothian Council', and that, 'this is not a matter where Scottish Ministers or the Scottish Government would become directly involved."

This has drawn fury from local Tory MP David Mundell.

He said: "Everybody understands that the Scottish Government can't order Midlothian Council to do this but they must have some influence. Surely the Scottish Transport Minister has some influence on them and should be using that to encourage them to take action.

"I am sure local people will be very disappointed that the Scottish Government appears to be washing its hands of this serious problem.

"I welcome the fact, however, that although it is not its responsibility Scottish Borders Council is willing to take action and is entering into a dialogue with Midlothian, and the Scottish Transport Minister should be backing them up - not backing off."

Local Lib Dem councillor Graham Garvie echoed his anger.

He said: "Stewart Stevenson cannot just wash his hands of this, he should be taking a lead and all he's doing is basically passing the buck and that's unacceptable.

"We're pressing for improvements at Scottish Borders Council even though the junction's not within our area. It's his job as Minister to do his utmost to rectify this dangerous situation because it can't go on any longer."

Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis said: "There is no political party who disagrees that these improvements are a priority yet, six years after I began calling for this, still nothing has happened.

"The Leadburn junction scheme was wholly the victim of the SNP coming to power. The money was ring-fenced for this project by SEStrans until the Government removed it."

Midlothian Council received a funding package of £172.1 million from the Scottish Government for 2010-11 which equates to a 33.6 million or 2.1% increase, when compared to 2009-10 on a like-for-like basis.

However Midlothian refuse to be drawn on whether funds are being found or set aside to install a roundabout or at the very least improve sightlines and visibility at the junction.

In a statement a spokesperson for Midlothian Council said: "We are still waiting for the official police report into this accident. When that is received, we will study its conclusions carefully."