Midlothian Council has commissioned Stantec to carry out a study into active travel and sustainable transport improvements on the A7 corridor between Sheriffhall Park and Ride and Main Street in Newtongrange.
The aim of the project is to improve active travel connections within the study area making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys and to connect to public transport services more easily. Currently, there is no or limited provision for walking, wheeling and cycling along the majority of the A7 corridor.
Separate to this project, funding has already been secured by the council to progress works between Melville Dykes roundabout and Eskbank Road roundabout
These works will be delivered in 2025/2026. The proposed improvements will improve connectivity, general access and prioritise bus travel in this core section of the route. Additionally, improvements will be made at Lothianbridge (outside the Sun Inn) which will prioritise walking, wheeling and cycling movements in this area.
As well as delivering the early stage works, the council is exploring more extensive improvements for walking, wheeling, or cycling along the A7.
This work is funded by Transport Scotland though the Sustrans Places for Everyone (PfE) programme.
The study, assessing various design options and their feasibility, the survey and consultation events are important in helping the council assess initial design options.
Sheriffhall Roundabout is not included in this consultation as it is part of a separate, Transport Scotland project.
The council has held three events in Newtongrange, Dalkeith and Boonyyrigg to show the plans and invite comments.
The reaction from the public has been mixed with some very much for the provision of active travel and some very much opposed,
Hundreds of people have signed a petition opposing proposals for a cycle path on a busy main route within hours of it going online.
The petition calling for Midlothian Council to drop plans to add dedicated cycle/walking paths to the A7 corridor between Sheriffhall Park and Ride and Main Street, Newtongrange, which are currently out for consultation, had more than 425 signatures by this evening – the day after it was launched.
Objectors say the proposals would “serve a minority interest at the expense of the majority” arguing few cyclists will use it and that the route should, instead, be upgraded to a dual carriageway to serve the thousands of motorists who use it regularly. The petitioners say
“The cycle path should be segregated from our congested road network to allow for road expansion. ”
The council launched a consultation on the proposals last month which closes for comment next week.
It says the new paths would “improve active travel connections making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys and to connect to public transport services more easily.”
And it points out there is no or limited provision for walking or cycling along the majority of the road.
However the petition says the A7 is one of the “only routes through the area with minimal restrictions to traffic flow”
It says: “Instead of reducing capacity by introducing cycle lanes, the road should be expanded to a dual carriageway to meet the growing demand for vehicle travel.
“The current proposal risks worsening traffic congestion and delays, negatively impacting commuters, local businesses, and the wider community.”
A Midlothian Council spokesman said:
“We are currently consulting with local people and communities about how to improve walking, wheeling, cycling and connecting with public transport for local journeys along the A7. Any decisions around active travel improvements along parts of the A7 will be informed by the outcome of the consultation, which closes on Sunday 30 March.
“We encourage people to complete the survey at www.midlothian.gov.uk/A7Active as, while we are aware of the petition, it has not been formally submitted and must meet specific requirements to be considered by the petitions committee.”
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