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Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillors have ‘little sympathy' for those who complain about 20mph speed limit
Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: 'There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. 'I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. 'I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone.' Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: 'It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill.' Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding 'there is no need to drive fast on urban streets.' Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: 'There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it.' Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: 'I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils.' There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: 'Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian 20mph objectors told extra minute on the road 'won't kill them'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: "There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. "I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. "I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone." Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: "It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill." Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding "there is no need to drive fast on urban streets." Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: "There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it." Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: "I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils." There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: "Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on."
STV News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Eight Midlothian schools face toilets review after court gender rulings
Eight schools in Midlothian face having to change their toilets in the wake of recent court rulings over gender rights. Midlothian Council said it is awaiting national guidance following a ruling at the Court of Session in Scotland, which ordered another local authority to install single-sex toilets for pupils. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equality Act, leading the Equality and Human Rights Commission to issue interim guidance that trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities. East Lothian Council has already said two of its primary schools, which were unisex only, are having new signs put up to designate boy and girl facilities, with disabled toilets also available for use. In Midlothian, a spokesperson said eight schools were fully unisex alongside disabled toilets, and it said they, and future projects, would now be reviewed in light of the rulings. A spokesperson said: 'Eight schools have fully unisex toilets. We currently have no projects 'under construction'.' 'All projects that are being planned will now be reviewed, and any necessary amendments as a result of the Supreme Court ruling will be considered and action taken where necessary. 'We are taking cognisance of the legal ruling and are awaiting national guidance on next steps to address the ruling.' They added that all public buildings and council facilities would also be reviewed to 'ensure compliance' with the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruling came after a challenge by campaign group For Women Scotland over Scottish Government claims that a trans woman who has a gender recognition certificate (GRC) should be treated as a woman by the Equality Act. However, For Women Scotland argued that the protections provided by the act should only apply to people who are born female. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued guidance that pupils should use toilet facilities corresponding with their biological sex. Last month, council leader Kelly Parry moved to address concerns raised over a new £120m high school in the county, replacing Beeslack, amid claims it would have unisex toilets. She told a meeting of elected members: 'I want to clear up one issue that is the email campaign claiming there is only unisex toilets in the new Beeslack school. 'I want to assure people that the new building will include open-plan, full-height, closed individual cubicles, separate toilets, and accessible toilets, which are not unisex only. 'Additionally, if people prefer a more private toilet facility, these will be available and positioned around the school.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Eight Midlothian schools face review after gender court rulings
Eight schools in Midlothian face having to change their toilets in the wake of recent court rulings over gender rights. Midlothian Council said it is awaiting national guidance following a ruling at the Court of Session in Scotland which ordered another local authority to install single sex toilets for pupils while the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equalities Act, leading to the European Court of Human Rights to issue interim guidance that trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities. East Lothian Council has already said two of its primary schools which were unisex only are having new signs put up to designated boy and girl facilities with disabled toilets also available for use. In Midlothian a spokesperson said eight schools were fully unisex alongside disabled toilets and it said they, and future projects, would now be reviewed in light of the rulings.. A spokesperson said: 'Eight schools have fully unisex toilets. We currently have no projects 'under construction'. 'All projects that are being planned will now be reviewed, and any necessary amendments as a result of the Supreme Court ruling will be considered and action taken where necessary. 'We are taking cognisance of the legal ruling and are awaiting national guidance on next steps to address the ruling.' They added all public buildings and council facilities would also be reviewed to 'ensure compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruling came after a challenge by campaign group For Women Scotland over Scottish Government claims that a trans woman who has a gender recognition certificate (GRC) should be treated as a woman by the Equality Act. However For Women Scotland argued protections provided by the act should only apply to people that are born female. Following the Supreme Court ruling the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued guidance that pupils should use toilet facilities corresponding with their biological sex. Last month council leader Kelly Parry moved to address concerns raised over a new £120million high school replacing Beeslack in the county, amid claims it would have unisex toilets. She told a meeting of elected members: 'I want to clear up one issue that is the email campaign claiming there is only unisex toilets in the new Beeslack school. 'I want to assure people that the new building will include open plan, full height, closed individual cubicles, separate toilets and accessible toilets and are therefore not unisex only. Additionally if people prefer a more private toilet facility these will be available and positioned around the school.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Eight Midlothian schools face review after gender court rulings
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Eight schools in Midlothian face having to change their toilets in the wake of recent court rulings over gender rights. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Midlothian Council said it is awaiting national guidance following a ruling at the Court of Session in Scotland which ordered another local authority to install single sex toilets for pupils while the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equalities Act, leading to the European Court of Human Rights to issue interim guidance that trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities. East Lothian Council has already said two of its primary schools which were unisex only are having new signs put up to designated boy and girl facilities with disabled toilets also available for use. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An artist's impression of the new Beeslack High School | Midlothian planning portal In Midlothian a spokesperson said eight schools were fully unisex alongside disabled toilets and it said they, and future projects, would now be reviewed in light of the rulings.. A spokesperson said: 'Eight schools have fully unisex toilets. We currently have no projects 'under construction'. 'All projects that are being planned will now be reviewed, and any necessary amendments as a result of the Supreme Court ruling will be considered and action taken where necessary. 'We are taking cognisance of the legal ruling and are awaiting national guidance on next steps to address the ruling.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They added all public buildings and council facilities would also be reviewed to 'ensure compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruling came after a challenge by campaign group For Women Scotland over Scottish Government claims that a trans woman who has a gender recognition certificate (GRC) should be treated as a woman by the Equality Act. However For Women Scotland argued protections provided by the act should only apply to people that are born female. Following the Supreme Court ruling the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued guidance that pupils should use toilet facilities corresponding with their biological sex. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last month council leader Kelly Parry moved to address concerns raised over a new £120million high school replacing Beeslack in the county, amid claims it would have unisex toilets. She told a meeting of elected members: 'I want to clear up one issue that is the email campaign claiming there is only unisex toilets in the new Beeslack school. 'I want to assure people that the new building will include open plan, full height, closed individual cubicles, separate toilets and accessible toilets and are therefore not unisex only. Additionally if people prefer a more private toilet facility these will be available and positioned around the school.'
