Residents in Midlothian are being urged to stay away from the site of a major landslip in Dalkeith.

The landslip, located at the steps from Cemetery Road to Ironmills Park, has 'worsened significantly', according to the council.

The steps have been shut since January due to stormy weather and heavy rainfall caused the slope to collapse over the Christmas period.

Two or three trees have now fallen from the cliff, along with tons of material from the slope.

The local authority is now awaiting advice and advisory costs from consultants on a possible engineering solution to stabilise areas of the slope.

-- Advertisement --

The steps were last closed from March 2013 to December 2014 due to similar problems. In response, the council agreed to spend around £58,000 on expert advice over the likely causes of the slip and to provide advice on options to stabilise the slope.

So far, the funding has contributed to site investigation works, specialist fees and a limited amount of onsite works (i.e. drains to divert rainwater from the slope, tree thinning and planting of willow understory).

However, due to the increased risk of collapse, a council spokesperson said: "We're warning residents again to please keep away from the steps. We had increased security by putting up more fencing and locked gates to the entrance because of concerns some local people were still accessing the steps, despite them being closed.

"This has largely worked but, given the severity of the landslip, we feel another warning is worthwhile.

"Please stay away from the steps and use the alternative route via Old Edinburgh Road and Ironmills Road instead."

(LM)