Consultations - Midlothian Orbital Bus STAG: How can we improve bus travel along four corridors?

We asked the public and stakeholders to use the Placecheck tool or the virtual consultation room (link removed) to tell us what you think of bus stops, park and ride facilities and existing bus priority measures, such as bus lanes, along the four corridors.

You could also use the tool to help us understand how we can make it easier for you to get to your nearest bus stop by walking, wheeling or cycling.

 A total of 370 comments were received via the Tool. 

More about the study

This consultation was part of a study called the Midlothian Orbital Bus STAG.

We worked with the regional transport partnership for South East Scotland, SEStran and commissioned transport consultants AECOM to complete the study.

The Midlothian Orbital Bus STAG, which is funded through Transport Scotland’s Bus Partnership Fund (BPF), was being undertaken in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) process. 

• Read more about the Midlothian Orbital Bus STAG

A follow up survey was completed in 2023 when the public and stakeholders gave feedback on bus priority options emerging from this original study via an online tool. There was also an online drop-in session at One Dalkeith in Dalkeith town centre. We received a total 290 responses to this. 

The outcomes informed the report presented to Council in Feb /March 2024 on Bus Partnership Funding, and the decision to progress and seek funding has led to current proposals.

Midlothian Council used the findings of both consultations to bid for and successfully secure a total of £1.071 million in funding from Transport Scotland to boost bus travel across the county, with a strong focus on upgrading bus infrastructure and improving journey times for passengers. 

• Read more on the outcome
• More details on funding secured in 2024 shaped by the bus study findings