Still time to have your say on proposed road improvements at Bush Loan
Many thanks to everyone who came to the drop-in on Monday 10 June at Bilston Primary to hear more about the Bush Loan project. You can still comment and give your views by Wednesday 19 June by emailing:
The junction location
The A702/Bush Loan priority junction is 4.5km south of the A720 City of Edinburgh Bypass, and 1.3km north of the A702/Mauricewood Roundabout accessing Penicuik.
Bush Loan links the A702 and A701 and provides access to the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush Campus, the Pentland Science Park and businesses on the Bush Estate, which together form the Midlothian Science Zone (MSZ).
Part of a larger initiative
This project forms part of the larger A701 Relief Road and A702 Spur Road initiative part-funded through City Deal. The works have been designed to improve road safety and to improve access to the Midlothian Science Zone. The intention is that the improved road safety will enable Transport Scotland to remove its standing objection to future development at Easter Bush/Midlothian Science Zone.
The project’s benefits
The A702 is a busy road with fast-moving traffic with no segregated right turn facility into Bush Loan from the south. Visibility from Bush Loan at existing junction is below standard.
Replacement of the junction with the proposed roundabout will:
- Greatly improve safety for traffic emerging from Bush Loan
- Reduce traffic speeds on the A702 to manage turning movements to/from Bush Loan
Traffic modelling suggests the roundabout scheme will encourage some drivers who currently use the A703 to reach the A702, to use Bush Loan instead. The A702/ A703 junction has long been identified as a safety risk by Transport Scotland, so this forms a secondary benefit of the proposed scheme.
Next steps
The intention is to submit a planning application early July 2024. Midlothian Council propose to submit a planning application for the junction improvement works. Wardell Armstrong, RPS, Amey, Systra and Savills are employed to design, assess and submit the application on behalf of Midlothian Council.
Opportunity to comment on the planning application
Please note that any comments made to the applicant are not representations to Midlothian Council Planning Authority and when the applicant submits a planning application there will be an opportunity to make direct representations to Midlothian Council’s Planning Authority.