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

Derek Milligan, Council Leader, made the repeated request after the full council meeting heard how recent once-in-a generation winter weather caused almost £4m worth of damage to the roads network in Midlothian.

The council has agreed to foot the £3.74m bill.

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Mr Milligan said: "Like every other area of the country, 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. But this will have a knock-on effect on what we can spend elsewhere unless we get help."

The council leader said he hoped the Scottish government would respond to his pleas and pleas also made by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which has asked for local authorities in general to receive central government help.

Councillors at the meeting in Dalkeith heard the near £4m was needed to return the road network to its November 2009 condition.

(GK)