Conservatives motion for more pothole money from Holyrood

A Conservatives group motion calling on more Scottish Government funding to tackle potholes was approved at Tuesday's council meeting.

Pothole repair work taking place near Gladhouse Reservoir, south Midlothian last month.

Midlothian’s already stretched reserves were hit by £500,000 for urgent road repairs after the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier this year.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, new Conservatives group leader Peter Smaill said: “It is clear that the £10 million released by the Scottish Government is inadequate since Scotland-wide total costs were nearer £50m.

“Midlothian, one of the hardest hit areas due to its easterly location, received only £149,000 despite representing 3.2 per cent of Scotland’s population.

“The call is for more appropriate amounts to be available and a review of the arbitrary formula which saw Midlothian short-changed.”

The motion received the backing of Labour councillors for a “fairer” “need-based” distribution of funds.