More problems at reservoir near Penicuik

Antisocial behaviour at Gladhouse Reservoir last weekend has led to Scottish Water urging visitors to think about their actions.

Abandoned bonfires which were still alight dangerously close to woodland at Gladhouse Reservoir.

The public water and waste water organisation owns the reservoir near Penicuik and surrounding woodland, and said local people and authorities are becoming increasingly frustrated at the behaviour of some visitors there.

Last weekend fires were left burning unattended, trees cut down and human waste left behind. Visitors also left cars parked dangerously and inconsiderately on a narrow road beside the reservoir, and directed verbal abuse at local residents.

Scott Fraser, Scottish Water’s regional manager for the area, said: “We are urging those people who have behaved in an antisocial way at Gladhouse Reservoir to think about their actions and the impact they are having on the environment and local residents and to stop this behaviour immediately.

“We want everyone in the area to be able to enjoy the amenities around the reservoir, as we do at reservoirs throughout Scotland, and to do so in a responsible way.”

Scottish Water recently joined forces with a number of other agencies to ask people visiting beauty spots to protect the environment and behave responsibly.

In Midlothian, work has been ongoing with a number of local agencies to raise awareness of the issues at Gladhouse Reservoir, previously reported in the Advertiser. Any form of damage to the environment is in breach of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, developed by Scottish Natural Heritage, which offers guidance on the rights and responsibilities of the public and land managers such as Scottish Water.