CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

A701 "Relief Road"

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  1. cb
    Member

    Has the access at Marmion Avenue been improved since Google Streetview visited (10 years ago!)?

    OSM mapping suggests that it has.

    Talking of mapping, the OS 1:25000 mapping is seriously out of date on the other side of Main St. It doesn't have Station Road mapped, and that looks like it was built years ago. It does, however, suggest how good the cycle links could have been with a bit of forward planning.

    Also thanks for the map links @Frenchy. That could be my morning gone.

    Interesting to see a proposed link under the Bypass at Lothian Burn (the actual burn, not the interchange).

    (Discussion about this on the Pentlands to Portobello path thread, somewhere else. Think chdot took his bike under the Bypass here, or was it the next culvert to the west?)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  2. Frenchy
    Member

    Also thanks for the map links @Frenchy. That could be my morning gone.

    No problem, enjoy! Please share your thoughts.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  3. chdot
    Admin

    “Think chdot took his bike under the Bypass here, or was it the next culvert to the west?)”

    Only one culvert big enough to walk through.

    If it was out in wilds this culvert would look like luxury - can actually stand up - but probably too small for ‘city standards’!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  4. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Just needs a dropped kerb in the foreground? Should be straightforward

    Here in East Lothian that would be a two or three year wait.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Talking of mapping, the OS 1:25000 mapping is seriously out of date on the other side of Main St

    OS Mastermap is up to date (of course) but yes, the 25k mapping on Bing and on Midlothian's planning portal is out of date, although the 50k map seems current(ish).

    Has the access at Marmion Avenue been improved since Google Streetview visited?

    I've no idea, but I think it was improved. I always use the newly widened access on Moat View, so hardly ever pass the Marmion end.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  6. Frenchy
    Member

    Here in East Lothian that would be a two or three year wait.

    The word "should" was quite carefully included.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    “Interesting to see a proposed link under the Bypass at Lothian Burn (the actual burn, not the interchange).”

    Even more interesting is that the line on map

    http://midlothian-consult.objective.co.uk/file/4880395

    actually goes under the Bypass to the Edinburgh side.

    Maybe this will really happen(?)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  8. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    The word "should" was quite carefully included.

    Ah, subtle. There's a few kerbs I'd happily take a pick-axe to. Quieter than a stilson.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  9. Frenchy
    Member

    This thread will do, as I can't find a general one on Midlothian politics:

    https://twitter.com/MidlothianView/status/977175151379927040

    The SNP won yesterday's Penicuik by-election, following the death of Cllr Adam Montgomery (Labour). I think this makes them the largest party now, as it was previously:

    Labour 7
    SNP 6
    Conservatives 5

    Posted 6 years ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

  11. Arellcat
    Moderator

    @Lezzles - there's a map (the "Loanhead, Straiton, Bilston, Roslin" one) linked from this page

    As much for my own reference as anything, I've scaled and combined all six of those maps into one supermap.


    (click to visit)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  12. Frenchy
    Member

    Fantastic! Don't suppose you found any discrepancies between the maps whilst doing that?

    If anyone who isn't a member of Spokes (or any member who for some reason didn't get the email about it) wants a read of Spokes' submission to that consultation, please PM me.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  13. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I wasn't looking particularly for discrepancies, more visualising connectivity, but there are some slight differences between as-built and planned at Shawfair.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    A new fixed speed camera has become operational on the A701, Milton Bridge.

    The decision to establish a camera at the location comes following a national site selection exercise where the A701 stretch of road at Milton Bridge was identified due to the number of injury collisions where speed was the main factor.

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/new-fixed-speed-camera-in-midlothian-now-operational-1-4723405

    Posted 5 years ago #
  15. Lezzles
    Member

    I tried to use the gate between the newly laid shared path between Roslin and Gowkley Moss this morning but the gate was padlocked. I've emailed the council this morning but its frustrating.

    Although now I look at the photo again maybe I was just being weak as the padlock is on the wrong side?? Gowkley moss gate

    Posted 5 years ago #
  16. Frenchy
    Member

    Although now I look at the photo again maybe I was just being weak as the padlock is on the wrong side??

    Still a problem if only the Popeyes of this world can open it.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    Is a gate needed there?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  18. Frenchy
    Member

    No.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  19. Lezzles
    Member

    I think a gate of some sort is needed because of the fools who park their cars on the pavement there to walk their dogs. There's also a couple of dirt bikes that like to rag around the nature reserve. But then they've taken down the gate at Straiton pond and not had any trouble since then.

    Anyway its annoying cos thats my route to my kid's nursery with bike trailer come August.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  20. Frenchy
    Member

    There's also a couple of dirt bikes that like to rag around the nature reserve

    Who can access the path just as easily from the other end. A couple of bollards would be adequate here.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  21. Frenchy
    Member

    https://twitter.com/adamrmcvey/status/1367791893216714764

    Adam McVey saying that the City Deal committee approved the Easter Bush business case today. Not sure how exactly this relates to the relief road plans.

    He is "Particularly pleased to see plans for sustainable travel". As far as I can tell, the extent of those plans is a line drawn along the current A701.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  22. crowriver
    Member

    Cllr McVey is always pleased about everything. Everything is positive progress as long as his administration is doing it. Sometimes it's even true!

    Posted 3 years ago #
  23. Frenchy
    Member

    https://planning-applications.midlothian.gov.uk/OnlinePlanning/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QUUBUCKV08B00

    A "scoping report" for the relief road has now been submitted to Midlothian council.

    Posted 2 years ago #
  24. HankChief
    Member

    Give your views on the proposed #A701 Relief Road and #A702 Link Road at #Straiton. Visit the consultation website, see a virtual exhibition of the options and register for the online event on Tues 5 October from 6pm.

    https://twitter.com/midgov/status/1443532344200208385?s=19

    https://www.a701reliefroad.co.uk/route-options/

    Posted 2 years ago #
  25. Arellcat
    Moderator

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago #
  26. Yodhrin
    Member

    See, if they were saying it made sense to build a road to *replace* the A701, which would be *entirely* repurposed by putting in wide and ample cycle track and making traffic lanes bus-and-access-only all the way from Straiton out to Penicuik - with bus gates at various points to stop people abusing the access allowance - I'd put myself in the "persuadable" camp since I wouldn't class that as adding capacity for more cars per se just separating out the already-excessive car traffic that's already there to make room for active and public modes on what's actually the more direct route, but despite trying very hard to imply something along those lines I'm not seeing a firm commitment to something that comprehensive. Which makes me suspicious.

    Posted 2 years ago #
  27. edinburgh87
    Member

    Loanhead "native" here (born and lived there until 2013) - not sure what use an 'active travel' centric A701 will be if it terminates at the Straiton Roundabout without some serious changes to avoid passing the bypass on/off slips heading into town. I do ride that way occasionally, in a strong primary, but wouldn't like to do it daily as I feel I'd be challenging the odds a little.

    The A703 is also crying out to be made more active travel friendly to encourage cycling from Penicuik etc into town or to the Gyle (could even be the 'preferred' AT route rather than crossing Straiton Junc).

    All in all from my skim of the plans, it looks like not much more than a way to rat-run between the bypass and points south on the A702...

    Posted 2 years ago #
  28. Morningsider
    Member

    I thought I would make a quip about how this proposed road flies in the face of numerous national and local government policies. I checked the National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2), NTS2 delivery plan, the Scottish Government Agreement with the Scottish Green Party, Climate Change Plan update, local development plan and so on.

    Not one of these actually includes a policy that would stop this road being built. Yes, there are vague commitments about climate change and even a target to reduce the distance travelled by car by 20% by 2030 - but nothing that a decision maker could point to and say - sorry, this can't go ahead because of policy X.

    The fact that the road is being funded by the Scottish Government as part of the City Region deal means they are highly unlikely to reject it. I imagine they would claim it necessary for "sustainable economic growth" and point to all the wonderful active travel and public transport "benefits".

    The only people who will experience any "relief" from this road are the major housebuilders - who I imagine have options to purchase all the undeveloped land in the area.

    Posted 2 years ago #
  29. chdot
    Admin

    “and point to all the wonderful active travel and public transport "benefits".”

    Indeed

    But

    Can/will they actually be able to claim any “benefits”?

    Posted 2 years ago #
  30. neddie
    Member

    You're thinking about this all the wrong way round.

    The relief "road" can be a beautiful active travel route, with a segregated bike lane and bus-only lanes, connected up nicely at the Edinburgh end with a newly built connection taking you all the way to the city centre. We could call it the S701 (Sustainable 701). Cars can continue to use the old A701 / A702.

    Think big, people!

    Posted 2 years ago #

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