Police catch drivers dodging roadworks on illegal rat run

MOTORISTS using a bus lane as a rat run to avoid massive roadworks on one of the city's busiest roundabouts are being targeted by police.

Hundreds of drivers have been ignoring no entry signs to travel along the stretch of road at The Jewel. The rat run has been sparked by the 1.8 million roadworks scheme on and around Milton Road, the main A1 eastern route into Edinburgh.

Police officers staged spot checks beside the 100-metre roadway at the foot of the Asda car park yesterday and caught seven drivers flouting the law.

Six were hit with 60 on-the-spot fines and given three penalty points on their licences while another motorist was reported to the procurator fiscal.

The work, which is expected to last six months, has already created gridlock on the main route through Portobello since it began at the Milton Link roundabout last Monday.

The Evening News visited the area yesterday afternoon and spotted five drivers using the bus lane in only ten minutes, including a van belonging to The Edinburgh Tour company, which is run by Lothian Buses.

Nearby residents today complained that the drivers were putting the lives of children at risk by racing along the street and a number of complaints have been made to police about the volume of traffic illegally using The Jewel.

Donald McIntyre, 62, an Asda worker, lives in Corbieshot next to the restricted roadway. He said: "Cars always use the route from time to time but since the roadworks started I've noticed a big increase. It is dangerous because a lot of children walk and cycle along the road."

Another Corbieshot resident said: "The police should be taking strong action against these drivers. One of the cars could have an accident with a bus on the narrow road, or god forbid, hit a child. I hope the drivers breaking the law are taken to court."

Lane closures have led to major tailbacks at the Milton Road roundabout, with other commuters taking detours through Portobello.

The roundabout is being replaced with traffic lights, as is the Duddingston Park roundabout, in a 1.8 million scheme to cut congestion.

A police spokesman said: "We have received numerous complaints regarding the large volume of traffic ignoring the no entry signs to avoid roadwork delays at Milton Link. Seven motorists were caught yesterday and our officers will continue to carry out checks on the road. Any drivers caught committing a road traffic offence will be stopped."

Local councillor Ian Berry said: "Drivers should not be breaking the law. There will be delays and perhaps in time people will become more accepting of that fact. I hope the police continue to carry out spot checks to try and eliminate this rat run."

The Milton Link roundabout and the Duddingston Park roundabout will each be replaced with four sets of traffic lights. Around 24,000 vehicles a day use the Milton Link roundabout, which serves the Asda superstore.

Bus lanes will be set up in both directions along Milton Road, as well as a "traffic management system" giving priority to inbound drivers in the morning and outbound drivers in the evening.

New pedestrian crossings and traffic islands will also be built, and existing crossings upgraded.