http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Commuting from Midlothian en Tue, 19 May 2026 00:21:34 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-191985 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:32:24 +0000 chdot 191985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This is an 'artist's impression of previous plan -</p> <p><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/461/19015052539_15c35b843b_o_d.jpg"></p> <p>(Can't find bigger/better!)</p> <p>The last bit near the bypass is the same - though they have since built the Park'n'Ride. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-191983 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 11:49:32 +0000 chdot 191983@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/325/18579824133_031031d65e.jpg"></p> <p>From -</p> <p><a href="http://midlothian-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/planningpolicy/mldp/mir?pointId=1367310339926" rel="nofollow">http://midlothian-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/planningpolicy/mldp/mir?pointId=1367310339926</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-191971 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 09:24:22 +0000 chdot 191971@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Of course MidL has been trying to increase road capacity for years. </p> <p>Previously there was an organised campaign against, plus a camp in the woods. This is from 2002 -</p> <p>"</p> <p>The 18 million A701 road project has been the subject of a long-running battle between Midlothian Council and local people in Bilston and Roslin. </p> <p>The A701 realignment was granted permission two years ago, with the Scottish Executive deciding to approve the scheme without a public inquiry. </p> <p>But campaigners opposed to turning the road south of Edin-burgh into a dual carriageway say there is no need for the planned 2.8-mile upgrade. </p> <p>Midlothian Council claims the realignment of the road is necessary to foster economic development, arguing that firms interested in moving to the area would go elsewhere unless the dual carriageway was built.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/going-out-on-a-limb-to-stop-a-road-1-847267" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/going-out-on-a-limb-to-stop-a-road-1-847267</a></p> <p>This time there doesn't seem to be so much 'noise' -</p> <p>"</p> <p>“A Transport Appraisal is being carried out. Would one have been undertaken if Transport Scotland had not requested it? However, we know already that this appraisal will give the thumbs up – it has to; the MLDP contains no alternative to the new road or indeed a sustainable way to address congestion. Prioritising the existing A701 for public transport and cyclists will work for a while, until traffic levels increase once again, and will not address the cross-Midlothian issue, but is and must be seen as merely a sop to give the impression the council is addressing the underlying problem with a sustainable transport policy. It is not.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.midlothiangreens.org.uk/?p=715" rel="nofollow">http://www.midlothiangreens.org.uk/?p=715</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-191970 Fri, 26 Jun 2015 23:39:23 +0000 cb 191970@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Stumbled across this when looking for something else.</p> <p>"<br /> Midlothian Council is assessing the feasibility of new road alignment options connecting the A701, A702 and A703 to assist in the preparation of the Main Issues Report for the Local Development Plan<br /> "</p> <p><a href="http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3491/technical_note-transport_and_infrastructure">http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3491/technical_note-transport_and_infrastructure</a></p> <p>Not really sure why this is being considered other than More Roads=Good.</p> <p>This probably clarifies best what is being looked at (map):</p> <p><a href="http://damheadcc.org.uk/files/ED10977-SK-001.pdf">http://damheadcc.org.uk/files/ED10977-SK-001.pdf</a></p> <p>Also came across this:</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProtectDamheadGreenbelt">https://www.facebook.com/ProtectDamheadGreenbelt</a></p> <p>Seems to be largely about a proposed film studio but I think there could be something about new roads in there too (but it's a Facebook site so couldn't really be bothered looking too far) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-174778 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:26:56 +0000 Uberuce 174778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As I'm shortly going to be a Midlothian commuter, resident of Roslin, I took a trip up to my new flat, and checked the path from there to Lasswade out.</p> <p>It's got a couple of broken parts from cables being laid and the surface not resealed, and in places it could use a path Mummy coming along, spitting into a vast hanky and wiping the leaf mulch off, but mostly it's much like the lovely NEPN and Innocent, but with significantly better views. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-174677 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:41:10 +0000 kaputnik 174677@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So that's the third attempt at painting those lines, making the lanes ~twice as wide as they were a few years back. 3rd time lucky? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-174662 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:50:22 +0000 slowcoach 174662@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Penicuik.Cuckoo/photos/a.254456634636301.61636.232185943530037/629355427146418/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/Penicuik.Cuckoo/photos/a.254456634636301.61636.232185943530037/629355427146418/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-174657 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:23:20 +0000 cb 174657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's probably been that way for a while but I did notice the other day that the cycle lanes on the main road into Penicuik have been significantly widened.</p> <p>They were far too narrow before (<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8432078,-3.2077053,3a,75y,254.03h,75.58t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1saFattUzv98dZizUWjY5pKA!2e0?hl=en">see Streetview</a>). Now many drivers are straddling them as they seem to be incapable of driving down a section of road that isn't at least twice as wide as their car. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-174639 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:02:50 +0000 chdot 174639@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thought it might be worth resurrecting this, especially because of the opening of the Loanhead to Lasswade Road path. </p> <p>There still seem to be a lot more people on here commuting from Fife than MidL. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-10029 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:51:35 +0000 holisticglint 10029@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes ERI and Danderhall is errr exciting and is my daily commute. Apart from that bit (and all the cars parked in the cycle lane at the garage past Cameron Toll) the A7 within CEC region is good for cycle markings even up to the bypass then it all goes a bit wrong at Sheriffhall roundabout and the rest of the A7 into Gorebridge is lethal. </p> <p>Does anyone else cycle on Sheirffhall roundabout ? I suspect going around the path and crossing the road is way more dangerous. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-10017 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:58:07 +0000 cb 10017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Penicuik has those signs (and red paint) too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-10011 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:46:25 +0000 Min 10011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I just avoid Old Deathtrap Road as much as possible nowadays. </p> <p>Some of the traffic islands in Musselburgh have signs to say to motorists not to pass cyclists at traffic islands-then a 6" strip of red paint at the side to try and encourage cyclists right in to the gutter so drivers can pass them anyway. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-10009 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:41:00 +0000 SRD 10009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah yes, the ERI-Danderhall road was fun on our first long trailer outing (to pick strawberries). Cars generally waited, then gunned their motors aggressively as they went past.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-10006 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:34:30 +0000 chdot 10006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Took a small trip to Midlothian yesterday. Must be a long time since I was on the road between the ERI and Danderhall.</p> <p>I was really quite shocked at how dangerous (for cyclists) these two islands are. Either CEC should add road markings to show that vehicles aren't supposed to (try to) pass bikes (like East Lothian Council does) or take a bit out of the pavement.</p> <p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/33o7g2b"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4792295949_096d983605_b.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/4792307299/sizes/m"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4792307299_9ab2811fba.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/4792313219"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4792313219_fcb64d1af3.jpg"></a></p> <p>(Musselburgh - this 'minor' road actually seems wider than the main Edinburgh to Dalkeith one!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9603 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:08:48 +0000 chdot 9603@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Another motivation is to reduce traffic levels, to the benefit of Edinburgh inhabitants. I suspect that "outsiders" contribute quite a bit."</p> <p>That's why they built the <a href="http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/Article.aspx?TopicId=0&amp;ArticleId=21552">Sheriffhall Park and Ride</a> - with some quite curious <em>bits</em> of cyclepath nearby.</p> <p>The disused Loanhead to Millerhill rail line is owned by Sustrans but there's no immediate plan/money to make it cycleable.</p> <p>Obviously this doesn't go into the centre of Edinburgh, but I'm sure (with some decent links) it would be useful for people wanting to go to the east of the city - Queen Margaret etc.</p> <p>But... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9601 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:47:59 +0000 amir 9601@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Another motivation is to reduce traffic levels, to the benefit of Edinburgh inhabitants. I suspect that "outsiders" contribute quite a bit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9593 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:15:52 +0000 chdot 9593@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I find this rather bizarre"</p> <p>yes, but true.</p> <p>It's all about "priorities'"- there are other places in Edinburgh to spend 'cycling money' and Midlothian probably wouldn't have money to 'meet' any new path.</p> <p>Lost track of where SESTran are at (not to be confused with Sustrans). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9592 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:11:57 +0000 Kim 9592@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Since then City of Edinburgh has been actively reluctant to pay for 'cross-border' cycle routes on the basis that not many people (by implication, who are Edinburgh residents/council tax payers) would use them."</p> <p>I find this rather bizarre as I know quite a number of people who live (and pay council tax) in Edinburgh but work in Midlothian. I used to commute out to the Bush Estate, and I know of plenty of others working out at Bush and at Roslin, who would welcome better cycle route to make it easier for them to get to work. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9573 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:06:19 +0000 amir 9573@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Although we do not pay council tax in Edinburgh, our place of work (in Edinburgh) would probably pay business rates. Should give us some say. Also we pay income tax - which is a major contributor to council income. We just don't vote! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1032#post-9544 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:00:42 +0000 chdot 9544@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A couple of CCE members have posted about commuting from Midlothian <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1006#post-9514">in another thread</a>.</p> <p>I suspect more would be willing to cycle in if there was a better route - or the current routes were better.</p> <p>Unfortunately geo-politics means that cycle policy/provisions alter at arbitrary (invisible) lines on the ground. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothian">Lothian Regional Council</a> (1975–1996) did a lot of good work to encourage cycling - not least the creation of much of the North Edinburgh Path Network.</p> <p>Since then City of Edinburgh has been actively reluctant to pay for 'cross-border' cycle routes on the basis that not many people (by implication, who are Edinburgh residents/council tax payers) would use them.</p> <p>Phrase "chicken and egg" never made much impact.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sestran.gov.uk">SEStran</a> has some responsibility for cycling. Its <a href="http://www.sestran.gov.uk/files/1207665807.pdf">Business Plan 2008/09-2010/11</a> states "There are four main strands of SEStran work in sustainable transport: ■ travel plans, ■ car sharing, ■ cycling, and ■ sustainable transport policy."</p> <p>One of its "Input to Single Outcome Agreements" - No. 44 - says "Cycling key connections, Edinburgh - Improve cycling links to and from Edinburgh." But then No. 3. is "Royal Infirmary Link Road - Improving accessibility to the new Royal Infirmary on the south side of Edinburgh, especially by bus."</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/borders-railway">Borders Railway</a> had proposals for a parallel cycle route in places - particular though the planned Midlothian settlement of Shawfair, which seems to be permanently on hold for economic reasons.</p> <p>Infrastructure is very "chicken and egg". </p>