Scottish Government funded project helping people travel actively in Easthouses

New crossings and a path funded by the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund are helping pupils walk, wheel and cycle safely to school in Midlothian, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop heard today.

More than £545,000

At a visit to the active travel improvements around the new Easthouses Primary School, during Scotland’s Clean Air Day, the Cabinet Secretary met pupils, staff, parents and members of the local community who have benefitted from the project of more than £545,000. 

School opened in August 2024

Easthouses Primary Head Teacher Jennifer Allison said: “We welcomed our first pupils in August of last year, so we’re delighted the path and road safety improvements are continuing to help them get here safely and actively.”

Work done earlier this year

Midlothian Council framework contractors installed two new active travel crossings along Morris Road, widened pavements and built the new safe path connecting the school to a nearby housing area at Kippielaw. The project also included installing a new safe crossing on Lauder Road in February and March of this year.

Fastest growing local authority area

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Colin Cassidy said: “As Midlothian is the fastest growing local authority area in Scotland, it's important to make routes to school safe for children now and in the future. This project will also help local residents, including older people, feel safe, connected and able to get to community facilities like those offered at Easthouses Primary School. We’re delighted, therefore, to see this route improved to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling and we are looking forward to adding a new path connection later this year.”

Making a difference

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased that during Scotland’s Clean Air Day, I’ve been able to see Scottish Government funding making a real difference to how children get to Easthouses Primary School by walking, wheeling and cycling. 

Active and sustainable travel

“These improvements are making it easier and safer for children and their families to leave the car at home and to choose active and sustainable travel to get to school. 

Healthier lives

“To support the continued ambitions of our local authorities – and to keep making walking, wheeling and cycling easier for shorter everyday journeys – in 2025-26 the Scottish Government will invest over £188 million in active and sustainable transport. In doing so, we’ll support more people living healthier lives, help save families money and encourage more people to leave their car at home for our air quality and our climate.” 

Thumbs up from Lillie

Easthouses Primary P4 pupil Lillie, 8, said she likes the new path, which she has used to walk to school with her mum from the nearby Kippielaw Estate. She added: “It’s through the woods. I really like it.”

One of three Transport Scotland funded active travel projects

The path and road safety improvements at Easthouses project is one of three Midlothian active travel projects funded by Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF).

Note:

Details of two other Midlothian projects funded by Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund:

• A grant of £140,975 was used to make the Carlops Road and Bog Road junction in Penicuik safer. A new zebra crossing was put in and the junction was made narrower to slow down traffic. These changes were made to help students travel actively to nearby primary and high schools, after local people raised concerns about road safety.
• A third grant of £126,949 was used to make Sherwood Crescent in Bonnyrigg safer. New pedestrian crossings and wider pavements were added to connect walking routes to Bonnyrigg Primary School and Start Bright Nursery. Raised sections of road were also built to slow down traffic. These changes have made it much safer for people walking or wheeling in the area.

In the picture

Pictured at the new active travel crossing outside the school at Morris Road are, from left to right at the back, Head Teacher Jennifer Allison, Midlothian Council’s Roads Group Manager Wayne Clark, P6 pupil Julian, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Councillor Colin Cassidy, Midlothian Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry, Midlothian Council’s Strategic Transport Planning Manager Anna Herriman, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and Midlothian Council’s Senior Roads Officer for Active Travel & Road Safety Gillian Bathgate.
Front left to right are children from Easthouses Primary School: P4 pupil Yaanyarko, 8, P4 pupil Lillie, 8, P5 pupil Ollie,10, P4 pupil Riley, 8, Kukua, who is 12 and in P7, and P4 pupils Freya, who is nine.