COLIN BEATTIE MSP DISAPPOINTED IN THE GREEN PARTY DELAYS TO SHERIFFHALL UPGRADES

​Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has expressed his disappointment in the potential delays to the upgrades of the Sheriffhall. The delays are as a result of the Green Party negotiating for a review of the Sheriffhall upgrade, in exchange for their support of the Scottish Budget. Mr Beattie has spoken up against the delays in the Scottish Parliament during the Scottish Budget debate, and whilst he voiced his support for the budget and the protection of services across Scotland, he took the time in his speech to raise his concerns about the delays to the upgrade in his constituency.
 
Colin Beattie MSP commented in his speech to parliament:
 
‘Before I continue on the Scottish budget proposals, I make a small plea for my constituency. As part of the arrangement with the Green Party, there is a proposal to review the current initiative for Sheriffhall roundabout. The Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city deal means that plans are in place to upgrade the roundabout in order to help businesses and residents cope with the volumes of traffic. The Green Party has asked for a review of the upgrades, which would delay the process. A review is not in the interests of my constituents, and the considerable reaction from them to the Greens’ proposal has been overwhelmingly negative.
 
The benefits of putting in place a solution to that long-standing choke point on the Edinburgh city bypass are multiple. I will list one or two of them. First, safe cycling and pedestrian routes will be put in place for the first time. That is an excellent first step in making the route greener and more sustainable. Many of my constituents have been waiting for those routes, so that they have alternative ways of travelling safely. Delaying the upgrades would prevent access to a green means of travel.
 
Secondly, instead of there being a significant traffic build-up at the Sheriffhall roundabout, traffic will be distributed to a variety of points, which will produce marginal traffic build-ups, as opposed to the significant traffic jams that currently happen. That will minimise idling traffic and longer car journeys as a result of delays.
 
The traffic jams resulting from the inadequate traffic-flow system mean that vehicles are often idling and producing high emissions and pollution. That is to the detriment of the surrounding villages and my constituents. The emissions could be lowered through better traffic flow, and the upgrades would enable that.
 
It makes every economic sense to have an efficient transport system in order to encourage businesses to move to or remain in the area. Efficient transport links reduce pollution and sustain jobs. Public transport and cyclists alike depend on them. I ask the Scottish Government and the Green Party to reconsider that potentially damaging and deeply unpopular review.’