Yet another Leadburn crash

Published 29 Mar 2010 14:12 5 Comments

FRUSTRATION is mounting after two pensioners were hurt in yet another traffic accident at the notorious Leadburn junction.

A 79-year-old man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance after his car was involved in a collision with a van at the accident blackspot just after 3pm on Friday afternoon.

His 70-year-old female passenger also required treatment for whiplash.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police said investigations were continuing into how the Renault Kangoo and Vauxhall Astra came to collide.

The crash is the latest in a catalogue of accidents at the junction, and has led to renewed calls for a roundabout to be built to improve safety.

However, cash that had previously been ring-fenced to upgrade the junction fell victim to a change in funding policies introduced when the SNP came to power.

And a fortnight ago Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson rejected claims he had the power to force Midlothian Council to improve safety at the crossroads, which links the A701, A703 and A6094 roads.

Local MSP Jeremy Purvis has written to Mr Stevenson to see if there is any way Government funding can be found to assist in the work.

He said: "I have written to the Minister again about funding mechanisms for SEStrans and to ask if the junction to be recognised as a significant area for public safety concern.

"I also raised a good suggestion from one of my constituents, that temporary signs could be erected on either side of the junction in both Midlothian and the Borders to warn drivers much earlier of the approaching hazard and to proceed with extreme caution.

"There is no reason why this very cost-effective measure could not be introduced immediately, and I have asked the police and both Midlothian and Borders councils to consider it."

Scottish Borders Council also wrote to Midlothian Council at the beginning of March pleading with them to make the necessary safety improvements as soon as possible.

Earlier this year 87-year-old Janet Spaven from Peebles was killed when her car was involved in a two car smash at the junction, and 36-year-old Michael Newton was killed in 2005 when his car ploughed into the Leadburn Inn.

However, Midlothian Council refused to be drawn on a timeline for improvements to the junction.

A spokesman for the council told the Peeblesshire News: "We are still waiting for the official police report into the fatal accident in January. When that is received, we will study its conclusions carefully."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 26 Mar 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  James Blonde
  Unregistered User
  Mar 29, 13:59
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  "Yes, we shall study its conclusions carefully to make sure we find any possible way of getting out of upgrading the junction, blaming anybody else, and allowing us to continue to do nothing." Great response there!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  A Park
  Unregistered User
  Mar 29, 18:13
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  However, cash that had previously been ring-fenced to upgrade the junction fell victim to a change in funding policies introduced when the SNP came to power. Perhaps if the previous Labour led administration hadn't voted for and forced the implementation of the Edinburgh Trams project at a cost of £600 million, the current Scottish SNP government would have enough money to spend on upgrading roads like this and other important issues such as health, education and crime. What did the Liberal Democrats do on that vote I wonder? Shame on you, Peebleshire.
  
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• 

  Tinkerjels
  Unregistered User
  Apr 1, 19:55
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  As a professional and advanced driver, I can honestly say that this is a terrible junction!
  
  The line of sight for drivers approaching the junction comming from the Auchendinny Road, can at best be described as poor.
  
  For elderly/learner/hesitant drivers, by the time they havern1. checked the road is clear
  
  2. engaged gear
  
  3. started their manuever
  
  another vehicle is now approaching via the Penicuik Road, and due to the national speed limit in force this approaching vehicle is upon them in an instant!!!!
  
  Resulting in the accidents, some of which are not reported to police, so a true figure is not emerging.
  
  What Price Life ?
  
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• 

  whocares
  Unregistered User
  Apr 3, 04:39
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  Just fix for god sake !!!!!!!!!!!!1
  
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• 

  Colin
  Unregistered User
  Apr 9, 23:31
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  Why is this still even a discussion? If funding is an issue (which is wasn't) then make it a 30mph section. The cost of 8 signs is way less than making a roundabout. Hell I'd even be happy with a speed camera or two. Any accidents that happen from that point on are very unlikely to be as serious as have been previously.
  
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