Council pressed for answers on 16-month closure of road

A REPORT has been commissioned into why a major road in Midlothian has been closed for well over a year.

The B7003 through Roslin Glen, an important thoroughfare between Roslin and Rosewell, has been closed to vehicles since the end of January 2008, following a landslip on the Rosewell side of the route.

A site investigation was carried out last summer to discover why this happened and what remedial works would be required to stabilise the situation.

However, one year on the road remains closed, and has become a matter of concern for Midlothian Council's SNP opposition group.

Councillor Owen Thompson proposed a motion, approved by the council, calling for a "clear direction" in reopening the road.

He said: "The Council recognises the importance of linking communities across Midlothian.

"It is therefore of concern that Roslin Glen Road has now been closed for over a year."

A spokesman for Midlothian Council said: "The director, commercial services, has been asked to bring a report on this matter to the next Council meeting on 23 June 2009."