Nailing the issue

On Friday 19 August, there was a fatal accident a few hundred metres from the Gowkley Moss roundabout near Penicuik.

On Monday, while walking past the site, I collected in excess of 100 screws, nails and other sharp metal objects from the road surface and central reservation within a 50m radius of the incident. Many more remain as I was unable to reach them all.

While this may not have contributed to this particular incident there is a vast collection of metal debris strewn across our entire road network that will inevitably end up embedded in vehicle tyres with possible fatal consequences.

The bulk of this metal debris can be found accumulating around “‘keep left” signs, road junctions and other areas that are not cleared by the mechanical road sweepers. Heavy rain then washes this debris across the carriageway.

Midlothian Council’s response, that keeping these areas clear is not a priority in the current financial situation, was barely credible previously and is even less so now. If keeping our roads free of debris saves even one life it will be money well spent and Midlothian Council should act immediately.

Stuart Martin

Mayfield Crescent

Loanhead