Midlothian set to benefit from historic £1.3bn City Region Deal

Wednesday August 8th 2018

Aerial Photo of Sheriffhall

Providing a flyover for Sheriffhall roundabout is one of the projects funded by the City Region Deal.

Midlothian’s economy is set to benefit from a £1.3bn investment package, following the formal signing this week of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

The Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Midlothian, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils, along with the region’s universities and colleges. There are also regional partners from the private and third sectors.

The Deal was formally signed in Edinburgh on Tuesday by Prime Minister Theresa May and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The UK and Scottish governments will invest £300m each over the next 15 years with the other partners, including Midlothian Council, committing to an additional £700m. The investment is expected to generate a £5bn boost for the area’s economy over the same period.

Projects planned for Midlothian include the building of a world class Data Infrastructure Hub by the University of Edinburgh at Easter Bush; the construction of the new A701 relief road and A702 spur road, and funding for major improvement to the A720 Sheriffhall junction.

Midlothian can also expect to benefit from City Deal investment in the integrated regional skills programme and potentially with new secondary school ‘centres of excellence’, similar to the digital centre of excellence recently opened at the new Newbattle High School. Other benefits will include major construction projects, transport improvements and new affordable housing.

A food and drink innovation hub is also planned for Queen Margaret University, just to the east of Shawfair, along with major investment in the Edinburgh Bioquarter, located near Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

“Following the official signing, work on the City Region Deal projects can begin in earnest,” said Midlothian council leader, Councillor Derek Milligan.

“The planned investment builds on our area’s many strengths, particularly in research, technology and innovation. It will also act as a catalyst in accelerating economic growth by encouraging further investment and boosting the economy of Midlothian and the wider area.”

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