The statement read: "You may have seen a campaign in the Midlothian Advertiser around the ongoing unsettling position in the Newbyres Crescent/ Gore Avenue of Gorebridge.
"The newspaper is campaigning for more information to be released in connection with the official response to the potential risk of ground gases, probably coming from old mine workings, entering homes in the estate.
"We would like to reassure the public as to the council’s absolute commitment to work with residents to support them at this difficult time.
"We have shared as much information as we can, as often as we can with residents and their representatives and will continue to do so over the months to come as better protections for the homes from the risk of ground gases seeping to the surface are developed, agreed and put into place.
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"We recognise that the uncertainty over the details of how our aim will be achieved is unhelpful and are committed to working with residents on an individual basis to agree approaches which will address their needs and try and minimise the disruption to their lives.
"We’ve taken the view that it is better to provide information to residents, even when all the detail is not available, as soon as we can rather than hold off until the uncertainties are resolved, as we understand that while we know residents are being protected by the current arrangements and their homes are safe to live in, sharing information when we can is a good way of helping people cope with the potential anxiety and stress of the current position.
"The council is working with public health experts within a legal framework set up to manage situations of this kind and there may be legal issues around this situation in future.
"Consequently, there may be information that we’re not in position to share as it may prejudice either the ongoing public health investigation, or potential legal proceedings. But within those restrictions, we are being as transparent as we can and have provided regular face to face briefings for residents, supplemented by regular bulletins, media releases and social media updates.
"One example of this is a special meeting of the council on May 20, which was held in private. We sought the views of partners and gained support for this paper to be taken out of private and personal copies were printed for all residents and supplied to them as soon as possible after the meeting. This paper will also be made available on our website for anyone to read.
"Through the Care for People group, a multi-agency group bringing together the council, the NHS, and a number of other organisations, we have already begun planning for the complex task of rehoming residents in suitable accommodation and this planning will accelerate as soon as the solutions delivering the greatest protection for residents are agreed."
(MH/IT)
