Midlothian to rollout 20mph limits in March

Saturday February 1st 2025

Bonnyrigg-Road-Eskbank

Bonnyrigg Road is one of 850 roads in Midlothian where the speed limit could be reduced to 20mph.

Written by Midlothian View editor Phil Bowen and Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp

Midlothian Council plans to introduce 20mph limits on all council roads from the end of March.

The public will be able to comment on the legal orders as part of a consultation launching on 6th February and running until 28th February. Further details of the consultation will be advertised.

In May 2023 councillors have backed plans to introduce 20mph speed limits across nine out of ten streets currently under a 30mph restriction. A revised review of roads across the county which had identified 850 where the new restriction could be brought in was approved.

It will mean just 70 streets across the county retain their current 30mph limit and it will see some rural communities undergo substantial traffic calming measures to ensure vehicles can no longer speed through them.

During the meeting councillors were told ward maps produced to show the impact had been revised following input from elected members and appear to show even more streets in blue – indicating they will have the new 20mph restriction on them.

Council officers said the cost of revising the streets signage and lines was estimated at £275,000.

Councillors unanimously approved the work to implement proposed 20mph and 30mph speed limits across Midlothian with council officers given the go ahead to begin the statutory process to introduce the new speed limits and traffic calming measures.

Under the process there will be a public consultation period starting on 6th February and any objections will have to be addressed with substantial ones expected to be brought back to the council’s cabinet members for a decision.

Council leader Kelly Parry told the meeting: “It is really good to see this motoring on.”

And Councillor Willie McEwen welcomed the move saying: “I get numerous complaints from constituents about speeding and people going too fast in areas where there are schools or heavily built up areas.”

You can read the report to be presented to council in May 2023 HERE and you can read the external consultants ‘Midlothian 20mph Speed Limit Review’ containing maps of proposed speed limits HERE.

The roads below are the responsibility of Transport Scotland and so unaffected by the council’s decision.

– A68: from A720 City of Edinburgh Bypass to Scottish Borders Council boundary
– A702: from Edinburgh City boundary to Scottish Borders Council boundary
– A720: from Edinburgh City Bypass including Sheriffhall Roundabout

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