Was out riding a loop of the Pentlands yesterday, and had completely failed to notice that the A702 is closed for line painting. This was actually quite welcome news as I tend to have to "heads down sprint" the bit of the 702 from Dophinton to West Linton in order to get to the Moor Road at West Linton for my return to Edinburgh.
The smooth empty tarmac was epic and I was shooting along on a completely empty road until I approached a "guard van" from highways agency.
The chap got out and told me I had to go back and divert via the a701 with all the other traffic, as it was access only. I pointed out that I wanted to get to west linton which being inside the roadworks, was technically access...
He did not agree and stated that a motorbike had blasted through shortly before without stopping, and that the police were going to stop and charge him. I said that I would be incredibly careful about going slow or even walking around anyone working on the road, but that there was no way I was going to share the A701 with all the usual cars plus all the cars from the A702 as well.
He effectively gave me a "the police will get you" type answer which I accepted.
Found the motorcyclist having a cup of tea with another of the guard/work vans about halfway along the closure, saw no police, and absolutely no people working on the line painting.
Questions
1) Was I technically correct that I was seeking "access"
2) It seems mad that he was so keen for me to head down to a doubly busy road
3) They really don't ever even consider that cyclists might be using some of these roads do they?