A TRANENT resident has said that lack of maintenance at a roundabout in the town is “an accident waiting to happen”.

Justin Weaver, of Toll House Grove, said overgrown shrubs obscuring the view at the roundabout at the junction of Brotherstone’s Way and Waterloo Road had resulted in a five-year-old girl nearly being hit by traffic as she crossed the road with her mum.

The company responsible for maintaining the roundabout says it has now cut back the shrubbery there.

Mr Weaver said: “There’s a drop kerb on the pavement to allow people to cross the road but they can’t see [traffic].

“I was walking with a woman and her daughter on the school run, and the girl stepped into the road and it was one of those moments when it flashes in front of you and you think: ‘God, that was so close.’

“And it was no one’s fault – I wouldn’t say it was the driver’s fault, and it wasn’t the mother’s fault for telling the girl to cross the road. You literally just couldn’t see.

“And then I saw an adult nearly get run over and I thought I needed to do something, because I didn’t want to look back and think: ‘Why didn’t I make someone aware of that?’”

Dad-of-one Mr Weaver said he had contacted the factor responsible for the upkeep of the Brotherstone’s Way roundabout, Greenbelt Group Ltd, several times.

He said: “I sent an email to Greenbelt and they’ve been useless. I sell forklift trucks, and health and safety is paramount, and I can’t believe that a company that’s paid to do a job has such a lacklustre approach.

“They’ve even been out and cut some of the shrubs in the surrounding area but not done the bit that I highlighted.

“That tells me they’ve not communicated to the people that do the maintenance that there’s an issue – or simply that they’re not bothered.”

Residents of the estate pay an annual maintenance fee to Greenbelt Group for upkeep of the area.

Mr Weaver said: “When the estate was built, it was part of the agreement when you buy a house that you pay.

“I did think to myself: ‘Should I go down there myself and cut bits of it down?’ But I don’t feel it’s down to me to do it. It’s their job. It’s part of their remit.

“And I don’t want there to be an accident, even more so now with all the ice.”

A spokesman for Greenbelt said the work had now been carried out.

He said: “On being alerted by a customer to a potential problem with the line of sight at the roundabout due to encroaching shrubbery, Greenbelt immediately instructed an inspection. We take all such matters very seriously.

“It was found there was no hindrance or danger to pedestrians or motorists and we therefore confirmed with the customer pruning would take place shortly as part of the winter programme.

“As the customer expressed further concern, to fully ensure their peace of mind the work has been completed in full ahead of schedule.

“Greenbelt also checked with the local police authority to confirm there have been no reports or concerns from members of the public linked to the roundabout.

“Greenbelt will continue to monitor all aspects of the development not only for aesthetic value and biodiversity, but also the health and safety of all residents.”