The Midlothian Local Development Plan states that the proposed A701 relief road will improve traffic flow in the A701 corridor and promote active travel with beneficial effects on air quality overall. The proposed A701 relief road and A702 link is one of a series of measures recognised to mitigate the effects of the planned growth in the A701 corridor strategic development area. Other measures include prioritising the existing road for walking, cycling and public transport improvements – Straiton roundabout to A701/A703 junction. Extensions to secondary and primary schools and a primary school for Auchendinny is also considered. (my bold)
Don't dress it up in active travel hyperbole, Midlothian. You want to build a bypass because you want to max out the Bilston-Loanhead-Straiton land for housebuilding, and everything you've done for active travel so far in the last few years is paint some new lines on the road at the A701 at the Mauricewood Road junction. MLC wouldn't know active travel promotion even if Diagram 967 was plastered all over 40-46 Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith.
The scheme is required to support development, manage traffic flows, reduce congestion and enable the Council to develop a sustainable travel corridor along the existing A701 focused on active travel and public transport improvements. This scheme is required to facilitate more sustainable travel along the existing A701 corridor and will alleviate congestion, and as such will directly contribute to climate action targets. A Walking, Cycling, and Horse Riding assessment will be carried out as part of the appraisal process.
Of course it is required. You have to build roads. And those 'wills' are brimming with overconfidence.
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