£1 million investment secured to transform bus infrastructure along key travel corridors across Midlothian
Midlothian Council has secured 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.
£879,000 investment targeting key transport corridors across Midlothian
Midlothian Council will receive 3 funding awards totalling £879,000 from Transport Scotland’s Tier 2 Bus Infrastructure Fund (BIF).
A £735,000 grant will deliver an Urban Traffic Control System at 15 key junctions across Midlothian, including 6 sites along the A701 corridor. This intelligent system helps buses travel through traffic more smoothly by holding a green light when a late-running bus is approaching a junction. The installation of this smart system will help buses run to their timetable and improve reliability for passengers.
A £100,000 grant will fund a study to help select and appraise sites for a future transport interchange, such as Park & Ride facilities, on the A701 / A702 corridor. Midlothian Council will work with its transport partners and take a lead role in the identification of potential new interchange locations. Identifying future interchange opportunities is a high priority for Midlothian Council, as the City of Edinburgh Council’s lease of the exiting Park and Ride site at Straiton will expire in May 2027.
A £44,000 grant will enable the delivery of a Terminus for buses at Destination Hillend, helping to encourage more visitors to travel to the attraction by bus.
£192,000 for new bus stops across Midlothian
The council will also receive its allocation of £192,000 from Transport Scotland’s Tier 1 Bus Infrastructure Fund, which will be used to purchase and install 23 new bus stop shelters across the county.
Sustainable Transport Corridors Project receives £505,000
In addition, Midlothian Council is also benefitting from a joint Sustainable Transport Corridors Project in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and East Lothian Council. This project, which is being managed and supported by CEC, has received £505,000.
The Corridors Project will identify where further opportunities for improved passenger connection may exist along key transit corridors to the south and east of Edinburgh, specifically the A701, A7, A772 and A1/A199.
Crucial Investment
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie said, “I’m pleased we’re supporting Midlothian Council with over £1 million from the Scottish Government’s Bus Infrastructure Fund.
“This investment will improve bus infrastructure and speed up bus journeys, making buses even more attractive for people working, living in or visiting Midlothian and across the region.
“For our communities and for our climate, this crucial investment will support a shift away from cars and towards more sustainable bus services, by making public transport a more attractive and accessible transport option for even more people.”
Long-term Vision
Midlothian Council Leader, Councillor Kelly Parry said: “This funding supports Midlothian Council to deliver its long-term vision for upgrading bus travel and infrastructure across the county.
“Put together as a whole, this package of major and small-scale improvements will all add up to making bus travel more reliable and accessible along key transport corridors.
“By taking this joined-up approach to bus travel development, we will deliver significant improvements that can meet the needs of Midlothian’s growing population.
“We are also continuing to work with our neighbouring councils to ensure our transport network supports regional growth and employment opportunities.”
Improvements Coming Soon
Midlothian Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Colin Cassidy, said: “I welcome these grants. Intelligent transport solutions and systems can make a big difference on a busy road network, especially in locations where the creation of a dedicated bus lane is not an option.
“Many residents rely on buses every day, and we want to make those journeys quicker and more dependable.
“As the funding must be spent this financial year, residents and bus passengers will soon see the benefits of these improvements.”
In Picture
Cllr Colin Cassidy, Cabinet Member for Transport, and Cllr Kelly Parry, Midlothian Council Leader, welcoming the funding at Bonnyrigg Toll, which will benefit from the new urban Traffic Control System.