Sheriffhall at 'bursting point'

A feasibility study into building a flyover to take the City Bypass over Sheriffhall roundabout is under way but will not be completed until next year.

However, politicians and motoring groups today called for a decision to be taken sooner because of long delays currently faced by drivers.

Around 18,000 vehicles use Sheriffhall every day and this is expected to grow when the nearby Dalkeith bypass is completed next year.

The delays are likely to be further compounded when the 100 million Shawfair project to build thousands of new homes at neighbouring Millerhill gets under way in the next few years.

Transport Scotland today said the possibility of a flyover was being assessed but shorter-term measures to relieve congestion were also being considered, such as changing the timing of traffic signals.

Bruce Young, Lothian co-ordinator for the Association of British Drivers, said: "It is particularly bad after 4pm when both east and westbound sides seize up.

"It is going to get much worse when you have the new Dalkeith bypass feeding in not that far away, in addition to the new housing developments in Midlothian.

"If we've not reached it already, then we are close to bursting point and it is not as if this is a new problem, it has been getting worse over the past decade."

Neil Greig, head of policy in Scotland for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "A flyover is long overdue, especially given they are in place all along the bypass. It is needed now and with the lead times for these sorts of projects, you might be looking at up to four years before it is built and the congestion is only going to get worse in that time."

Midlothian Labour MSP Rhona Brankin said she uses the junction most days and was "as aware as anyone" of the need for improvements. She said: "The Dalkeith bypass will bring much-needed relief to Dalkeith town centre, but it is also likely to increase the volume of traffic going through an already congested Sheriffhall.

"We need to seriously consider a grade-separated junction as a matter of urgency."

The 100 million Shawfair project is one of the biggest Scottish developments in recent years and lies north of the bypass on the site of the former Monktonhall Colliery.

Around 4800 houses will be built to house 15,000 people, and 12,000 new jobs will be created.

A Transport Scotland spokes-woman said: "We are currently taking forward a feasibility study to fully assess Sheriffhall. This will look at short-term options including works to the timing of the traffic signals once the Dalkeith bypass is open. It will also look at the longer-term possibility of a flyover and this element will be considered in the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report in summer 2008."

Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council's strategic services spokesman, said: "The council is supportive of improvements to Sheriffhall roundabout and continues to safeguard the junction within the Midlothian Local Plan for grade separation.

"There are a number of transport initiatives that will be going ahead in order to alleviate congestion, including park-and-ride schemes at Sheriffhall, Straiton and Lothianburn, and junction improvements along the A701 to help faster bus journey times."