Council vow to fix pothole-ridden road causing damage to cars
A troublesome potholelined road in Midlothian has further angered locals, with motorists reporting recent damage to their vehicles.
The B6372 at Gladhouse has had pothole problems in the past, with local residents and passing motorists previously reporting damage caused by the state of the road. That section was repaired at the end of last year – but now locals are fuming at damage being caused by another stretch of the same road.
They say about 25m of the section between the Pomathorn Penicuik junction and the Gladhouse turn-off has potholes developing all the time, inadequate patching with cold tar.
Local resident Jon Steele has been keeping a record of incidents on the road – and had a scary moment recently when a tyre blowout made him lose control of his vehicle. He said there is a “huge road safety issue” in the area.
He said: “This road is now extremely dangerous due to its uneven nature and failure to resurface the road.
“I have witnessed numerous cars on this stretch of road pulled over with flat tyres and wheel damage – I would estimate 25 in the last two months.
“There are hundreds of potholes, too many to count now. A local farmer told me one of his friends won’t drive this road at night now due to the risk. ‘You may as well drive it with your eyes shut,’ one said to me.”
And he said: “I had my tyre removed and the alloy wrecked by the uneven surface and potholes whilst driving along between Fullarton Farm and Mount Lothian farm at 35mph. I know where the large potholes are and still this happens.
“I momentarily lost complete control of the car due to a blowout and swerved into the oncoming lane on a corner. Fortunately there was nothing coming towards me. However, that’s me £500£600 out of pocket.
“Midlothian Council are wrecking cars on this road at a horrifying rate and there will eventually be an accident for which they should be held liable.”
The local authority told the Evening News it already has repairs due to take place at this section of road.
A Midlothian Council spokesman said: “Significant resurfacing of the B6372 is scheduled during this financial year. In the meantime, we continue to undertake temporary repairs as necessary.”