Anger over delays at lethal Leadburn

David Knox • Published 7 May 2010 08:00 0 Comments

A LOCAL councillor has slammed Midlothian Council for refusing to properly deal with the deadly Leadburn junction.

Over the past decade four motorists have lost their lives around the junction - where the A701, A703 and A6094 meet - and numerous other near misses regularly occur at the site.

Janet Spaven, 87, from Peebles is the most recent fatality, she was killed at the junction last year when her car was involved in a two car smash.

This week, Midlothian Council once again refused to be drawn on their future plans for the site.

A spokesperson said: "Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders Council and Lothian and Borders Police have held a site visit to discuss the recent fatal collision at Leadburn junction. We are not in a position to reveal any conclusions of the Police enquiry as a report has been forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal.

"However, the Councils understand that no features of the junction or road conditions have been identified as contributing to the recent collision."

Midlothian's steadfast refusal to actively engage on the issue has angered local councillor, Graham Garvie.

He said: "How many people need to be killed and injured there before they get their act together? They seem to continously hide behind a belief that crashes are caused by driver error. But driver error is only increased at Leadburn because it's such a nightmare to navigate.

"It's a cop-out on their part and complete rubbish. I understand that all councils are strapped for cash at present but this can no longer be allowed to continue.

"It's Borders drivers who suffer most but it's also worrying as we approach the busy tourist season."

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

But as yet no improvements have been pencilled in at the junction.

A £900,000 roundabout reached the planning stage following a 2006 crash which saw the nearby inn burned down and initial studies were completed.

However money to fund the project never materialised and the plans were shelved.

A clear sign, according to councillor Garvie that Midlothian believes the junction to be in need of safety improvements.

He said: "Why else would they approve a roundabout there four years ago if not because they felt the junction to be unsafe?

"I'm in the process of setting up a meeting with my Midlothian colleagues to get this sorted."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 07 May 10

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