7/7/2018
Police Scotland (Bonnyrigg) liaised with residents and MLC and on Friday 6th July Midlothian Council arranged to put in a one way system for Maryfield Place with entry off Lothian Street. They were also intending to put out additional early signage, as they acknowledged that once a larger vehicle was at the road closed sign there was little option for the driver other than carry out a three point turn or travel through the roads in the Waverley area.
5/7/2018
E-mail sent to Councillors Milligan, Alexander and Lay-Douglas, and Bonnyrigg Police earlier today.
Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council would like to pass on some concerns over the traffic diversions at Dundas Street and reports of poor driver behaviour in the area. We noticed also that residents have been posting comments on the local residents’ forum about the same issues.
The diversions enable drivers passing the Toll towards Lothian Street to take a shortcut down Maryfield Place. They can then exit at the Waverley Hotel to veer down Cockpen Road. Drivers are being observed using these diversions at unsafe speeds and with little consideration for other road users, pedestrians and local residents. These are narrow residential streets and are not designed to be used as rat runs.
Additionally, large vehicles have been observed being driven up Cockpen Road towards the centre of Bonnyrigg, their drivers ignoring at least three ‘No through road’ or ‘Road closed’ signs, to then do a very unsafe turn around at the junction at the Waverley Hotel. Again, local residents report this is a common occurrence.
It seems to be very similar to the situation last year with large container vehicles and speeding cars using Raes Gardens as a shortcut while Lothian Street was closed. Would you please consider reviewing the location of the diversions and if they cannot be moved then implement a more rigid form of traffic management.
Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council