Saturday May 16th 2020
The picture shows Keith Watson (driving) and George Taylor clearing the shared use foot / cycle path from Gowkley Moss roundabout heading towards Penicuik.
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
During the Covid-19 pandemic Edinburgh Council have been repurposing roads into temporary cycle paths for commuters to avoid public transport and for leisure.
Midlothian View asked Midlothian Council whether they had plans for similar projects. A council spokesperson said that the council’s Active Travel team are currently putting together a bid to SUSTRANS, the UK walking and cycling charity, for temporary infrastructure projects but as they have not finalised or submitted the bid they did not want to comment further.
Midlothian View undertstands that the council are investigating a “quiet way” between Dalkeith and Pathhead via Edgehead, Ford, Whitehill and are working with the Tynewater community council.
Meanwhile Midlothian Council has cleared miles of foot and cycle ways to help local people enjoy daily exercise while social distancing.
Teams from Roads, Land and Countryside, the Ranger Service and Waste Services worked together to tidy and widen areas along the Penicuik to Dalkeith route via Bonnyrigg and Hardengreen.
Work has also been done on routes from Dalkeith to Whitecraig, Roslin to Shawfair and Gowkley Moss to Roslin.
The operation has taken around two weeks to complete.
Midlothian Councillor with responsibility for active travel, Councillor John Hackett said:
“This is a great example of council teams working together for the benefit of our local communities.
“Daily exercise is so important for our health and wellbeing, especially during lockdown.
“Many thanks to everyone involved, including Keith Watson and George Taylor from our Roads Services, pictured.
“I’m sure local people will be delighted the cleared areas will now help them to exercise more safely by observing social distancing guidance. We’d also like to remind local people that, with many of the paths being quite busy, to please respect other user’s space.”
The council will now work to maintain the cleared paths to make sure local people can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely in the coming months.
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