Council chief asks Holyrood to help repair road damage

THE Scottish Government is being urged to help Midlothian Council repair the county's storm-battered roads.

Council leader Derek Milligan made the repeated request after the full council meeting heard how recent winter weather had caused almost 4 million worth of damage to roads in Midlothian. The council has agreed to foot the 3.74m bill.

Mr Milligan said: "Like every other area, our road network was severely damaged by the worst winter in many decades. It is essential that the Scottish Government step in and help.

"This expenditure is unforeseen but we have decided we will make this money available. This will have a knock-on effect on what we can spend elsewhere unless we get help."

He said he hoped Holyrood would respond to his pleas, and those by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.