Edinburgh Sheriffhall roundabout: MSP proposes extra lane as 'interim solution' to ease congestion
Transport bosses are being urged to create an extra lane on the approach to Edinburgh's Sheriffhall roundabout in a bid to ease congestion while the wait goes on for a full upgrade.
Christine Grahame, SNP MP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, is pressing for the move as an interim solution to the long tailbacks at one of the busiest junctions on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass.
She said some motorists already used scrub land next to the A7 as an unofficial extra lane and someone had even put down a rough bit of tarmac. Now she has written to Transport Scotland calling for the lane to be "done properly".
The full upgrade of Sheriffhall roundabout - with a flyover to separate through traffic from vehicles on more local journeys - was awarded funding under the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region deal in 2017.
In 2020 the plans were put on hold to allow a review of the project as part of a Scottish Government budget deal with the Greens. A public local inquiry was eventually held in early 2023 and the report delivered to the Scottish Government in early 2024. But it is still being considered by officials.
Christine Grahame said: “As you come up the A7 from the Borders there's a wee roundabout to go to Dobbie's Garden Centre and just after that you're into two lanes down to the roundabout at Sheriffhall, but folk have been making an ad hoc third lane that would take you directly left onto the bypass to Glasgow.
“Someone, I don't know who, has put a bit of tarmac on the rough land, but it's just rough and ready and runs for about 10-12 yards. My suggestion is why don't they just do it properly so we have a longer stretch, properly marked out, that would allow cars to go left.
“At the moment, when the lights change, only three or four cars can get through there to go left or straight ahead. Car drivers are making their own decision and bumping up on the rough bit and if we just did it properly as a lane it would make more sense.”
Ms Grahame raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament, asking whether Transport Scotland had ever considered it or would look into it.
And she later posted an update on Sheriffhall on social media, saying: “A simple interim step, like creating a proper additional lane using the scrub land alongside the road, could significantly reduce pressure. The Transport Secretary has heard this point, and I am also following it up with Transport Scotland.
“The Government has confirmed it remains committed to the project. I will keep pushing for progress, both on the long-term solution and on sensible steps that could help improve things now.”
Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs endorsed Ms Grahame's idea. He said: “People are sick of the congestion. I think there could be a feeder lane built to ease some of the pressures.
"Often, heading in from Midlothian, you notice how many people are just using the verge. People are just deciding they can use it if they're in a rush.
"Work to make it an official feeder lane could have been done by now, but they're obviously waiting for the main scheme to go ahead."
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "This is not a proposal which Transport Scotland has considered in detail to date. However, the feasibility could be considered with the close collaboration of Midlothian Council, as the relevant roads authority with responsibility for the A7 to Galashiels."
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