NEWS RELEASE - January 22nd 1999

Midlothian road plans on A701 a Trojan Horse to out-of-town greenbelt developments

TRANSform Scotland have also written to Donald Dewar, Secretary of State for Scotland, asking for the proposal to be called in for public inquiry. The call comes on the day (Friday) that Midlothian Council have set as a deadline for objections.

Colin Howden, Campaign Manager of TRANSform Scotland, commented:
"The road proposals being put forward belong to another age: they have no part in any sort of sustainable transport policy for the 21st century. They show Midlothian Council to be hopelessly out of touch with transport policy emerging from Government."

From the junction with the Edinburgh City Bypass at Straiton to New Milton, the new road would effectively triple the capacity of the road. It would also effectively give the controversial IKEA development at Straiton its own feeder road from the Edinburgh City Bypass. The proposals are in conflict with proposals in Edinburgh to see reductions in car commuting. TRANSform Scotland would like to see Midlothian instead investigate traffic restraint on the existing route, and measures to assist bus flows on the existing route.

Colin Howden continued:
"Despite having received funds from the Scottish Office for work on addressing the transport problems on the route from Penicuik to the Edinburgh Bypass, Midlothian Council have made no effort to identify and promote public transport and traffic restraint options, and instead seem fixed on tripling the road capacity south from the Bypass. The road would be a Trojan Horse for out-of-town greenfield developments to sprawl across Midlothian."

Midlothian Council have claimed that massive new road of this type can lead to environmental benefits, the promotion of public transport and improved road safety. TRANSform Scotland regards these claims as laughable.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
(1) TRANSform Scotland letter of objection is appended.

(2) TRANSform Scotland brings together 50 organisations - including transport operators, local authorities, national environment campaigns & local transport groups - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable Scotland. We can be contacted at 72 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5QG. Tel.: 0131-467-7714; Fax: 0131-554-8656; E-mail: campaigns@transformscotland.org.uk; web: http://www.transformscotland.org.uk

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