Tuesday April 1st 2025
Some of Midlothian's soon to be preserved patch work roads in Eskbank outside the Justinlees Pub.
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
Midlothian’s famously uneven road network and potholes have been granted official preservation status under Historic Environment Scotland (HES) regulations.
Under HES guidelines, any public infrastructure that has been in place for more than ten years must be preserved in its current state for future generations. These rules apply to both patchwork road surfaces and potholes. Given Midlothian’s abundance of both, it has become the first county to receive this unique honour. To support the initiative, the Scottish Government has awarded the council a £20 million grant.
The council is now exploring ways to resurface roads while maintaining their distinctive patchwork appearance. A specialist roads team recently visited an expert company in the historic Roman town of Bath. The company who are accustomed to maintaining two thousand year old Roman roads acknowledged that recreating Midlothian’s road conditions presents a particularly unique challenge.
While potholes are also subject to preservation, concerns about vehicle damage have led HES to slightly modify its regulations. Any pothole over ten years old will be filled with a transparent resin, allowing it to retain its visual impact while providing a smooth driving surface.
Mr Jobe Worth of Historic Environment Scotland told Midlothian View:
“It is vital that future generations can witness these roads as they have evolved, particularly in conservation areas like Eskbank. Their historical significance must not be erased by indiscriminately replacing them with smooth tarmac. That would be like painting over the Mona Lisa. Midlothian has a proud heritage of potholes, and after ten years, they become a natural part of the environment—one that must be protected.”
Councillor James Arbuthnot-Smoothly, Midlothian’s roads chief, added:
“It is a tremendous honour to be the first council in Scotland entrusted with preserving our roads in this way. We are immensely grateful for the £20 million grant, which will allow us to undertake this vital work and position Midlothian as a global leader in road preservation. Looking ahead, we also see revenue opportunities, as our expertise in filling holes to maintain holes will undoubtedly be of value to other councils.”
Councillors are set to meet at noon today to formally approve this historic initiative, marking a first for both Midlothian and Scotland.
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