Leadburn calls rejected by Transport Minister

David O'Leary • Published 12 Mar 2010 12:49 3 Comments

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."

Tweet

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 12 Mar 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Jim Silvey
  Unregistered User
  Mar 12, 13:42
  Report comment

  Mr Purves is not telling the truth, again. The Leadburn Junction scheme to build a roundabout did not go ahead because the Liberals coalition partners in the Labour Party on Midlothian Council cocked up the budget to build the roundabout, just like they have screwed up the Edinburgh Trams project. SESTrans (a coalition of councils from the South East of Scotland) set the deadline for Midlothian council to submit their bid, but that Labour council MISSED the deadline. SEStrans and the Labour council then reallocated the budget (not enough to build the roundabout due to the budgetting mistakes by the Council) to other areas. Mr Purves is not spinning, he is out and out deceiving!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Hazelkaye
  Unregistered User
  Mar 16, 20:35
  Report comment

  Our illustrious Transport Minister seems to have 'influence' elsewhere when he opens his mouth and digs an even bigger hole, in which to hopefully, eventually fall, along with his cohorts, re the dubiety over the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link! Borders Rail campaigners had better keep an eagle eye on future proceedings and "BEWARE of the 'SNaPing' SNARE"!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Hazelkaye
  Unregistered User
  Mar 16, 20:39
  Report comment

  ie SNaP-ping SNARE 'PING' 'BOING' as on the rebound!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @peeblesnews