Monday August 18th 2025
Colin Beattie MSP, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, writes his monthly column for Midlothian View
Road safety policies save lives and protect our communities. In recent months, I have seen a noticeable increase in correspondence from constituents worried about dangerous driving in their area. Older residents have told me they feel less confident driving and walking to the shops. Everyone deserves to feel safe when walking, cycling, or driving in their community.
The rollout of 20mph zones in Midlothian is one step towards encouraging safer driving, but there is still more to do. I recently visited Pathhead to see the traffic on the A68 and recorded several short social media videos highlighting some of the local issues I had been told about and witness them firsthand.
To address the concerns of the community in Pathhead, I established the A68 Focus Group. This brings key stakeholders together to work collectively on improving safety along this busy stretch of road through Pathhead. The group has already delivered tangible improvements – enhancing lines of sight, upgrading traffic signs, and securing the construction of two pedestrian crossings top make the village safer for everyone. We meet regularly to review progress and push for further measured where needed. These local successes are backed by national investment. The Scottish Government remains committed to improving road safety nationwide. Alongside maintaining our roads last year saw record investment of £36 million – rising to £48 million in 2025/26 towards targeted safety initiatives. This funding supports projects aimed at reducing casualties, improving infrastructure, and encouraging responsible driving.
While investment, better design, and enforcement are vital, induvial responsibility is key. I urge every driver to respect speed limits, stay alert and show courtesy to all road users. Every safe choice at the wheel is a choice that could save a life.
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