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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."
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Supermarket bid for flagpole rejected
Supermarket giants Lidl have lost their bid to put a store sign on top of a flagpole after it was ruled it would clash with an historic cemetery. The food chain appealed to Scottish Ministers to allow the 6 metre high totem style sign at their store on St Kentigern Way, Penicuik, after Midlothian planners rejected it saying it was not in keeping with the nearby conservation area. The appeal came after they successfully overturned planners objections to an illuminated sign on the store itself which had been described as 'garish'. But while Scottish Ministers had agreed the store sign was an acceptable, and expected, addition to the supermarket building itself, they drew the line at the flagpole advertising sign at the edge of its car park. Throwing out Lidl's appeal over the flagpole, the Scottish Government Reporter said its height would make it stand out. He said: 'The visual environment to the east of the location of the supermarket and the car parks includes the buildings of the historic town cemetery on Kirkhill Road. 'The cemetery includes a number of significant vertical elements, including the unusual square tower of Old St Mungo's church. I consider that a tall illuminated sign at the proposed location will be experienced as a significantly discordant element in views of the cemetery buildings and surrounding trees, and will substantially detract from the interest and visual amenity which these buildings and the cemetery location gives to the town centre.' He added that local residents who overlooked the store and car park would also be affected by the sign adding: ' in my view, it is probable that an illuminated sign on a 6 metre pole at the proposed location will be visible from their windows, particularly in lower daylight levels, and when the trees are bare. 'I take the view that the tall illuminated sign is likely to adversely affect the amenity of these houses, even if none of the residents have objected to the proposed sign.' The flagpole appeal is the latest round in a battle over signs at the Lidl store which has spanned more than 15 years, and comes months after the store won an appeal to put illuminated signs on the shop front, which planners had also tried to ban Midlothian Council repeatedly refused to give the food chain permission to replace the standard sign at their Penicuik store with ones which lit up with planners describing the illuminations as 'garish'. However Lidl argued that the council had allowed the modern store to be built in the conservation area and should have expected them to want modern signs. The Reporter allowed the store sign but rejected Lidl's claim that the flagpole was'to be expected in the town centre location and as part of a retail foodstore to provide awareness of the use of the building'. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
16-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Lidl told Midlothian flagpole 'out of character' with nearby cemetery
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 Supermarket giants Lidl have lost their bid to put a store sign on top of a flagpole after it was ruled it would clash with an historic cemetery. The food chain appealed to Scottish Ministers to allow the 6 metre high totem style sign at their store on St Kentigern Way, Penicuik, after Midlothian planners rejected it saying it was not in keeping with the nearby conservation area. The appeal came after they successfully overturned planners objections to an illuminated sign on the store itself which had been described as 'garish'. But while Scottish Ministers had agreed the store sign was an acceptable, and expected, addition to the supermarket building itself, they drew the line at the flagpole advertising sign at the edge of its car park. Throwing out Lidl's appeal over the flagpole, the Scottish Government Reporter said its height would make it stand out. He said: "The visual environment to the east of the location of the supermarket and the car parks includes the buildings of the historic town cemetery on Kirkhill Road. "The cemetery includes a number of significant vertical elements, including the unusual square tower of Old St Mungo's church. I consider that a tall illuminated sign at the proposed location will be experienced as a significantly discordant element in views of the cemetery buildings and surrounding trees, and will substantially detract from the interest and visual amenity which these buildings and the cemetery location gives to the town centre." He added that local residents who overlooked the store and car park would also be affected by the sign adding: " in my view, it is probable that an illuminated sign on a 6 metre pole at the proposed location will be visible from their windows, particularly in lower daylight levels, and when the trees are bare. "I take the view that the tall illuminated sign is likely to adversely affect the amenity of these houses, even if none of the residents have objected to the proposed sign." The flagpole appeal is the latest round in a battle over signs at the Lidl store which has spanned more than 15 years, and comes months after the store won an appeal to put illuminated signs on the shop front, which planners had also tried to ban. Midlothian Council repeatedly refused to give the food chain permission to replace the standard sign at their Penicuik store with ones which lit up with planners describing the illuminations as 'garish'. However Lidl argued that the council had allowed the modern store to be built in the conservation area and should have expected them to want modern signs. The Reporter allowed the store sign but rejected Lidl's claim that the flagpole was 'to be expected in the town centre location and as part of a retail foodstore to provide awareness of the use of the building'.
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
20mph bad for kids, objector claims as councillors consider plans
Plans to introduce 20mph zones across Midlothian towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk, objectors have claimed. 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's SNP administration cabinet will meet next week to consider extending the reduced speed to all urban streets. However nine objections will be considered by elected members including claims it will be unenforceable, lead to road rage and be a waste of money. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One protester said the 'Utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and failed to teach them safety. 20mph limits are being considered for urban streets across Midlothian. (Pic: Google Maps) They said: 'Whoever proposed and accepted this 'Utopian' idea should focus and concentrate on education about road safety usage. 'Roads are not playgrounds. Teach the kids about safety, how to cross the road or use the road while riding the bicycle. It's a nonsense and will deliver the opposite result that it's aimed at.' 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One protester said: 'It would appear that work has already started to install 20mph signs which means that objections are not going to be considered seriously, if at all.' Among the main concerns were questions about how the lower speed would be enforced and the money spent on the changes. One objector described spending funds on the speed change as 'absurd'. They added: 'While I agree high streets, school zones, housing estates and streets near children's play parks would highly benefit from a lower limit, for most roads it is not only unnecessary but will in turn just fuel road rage amongst drivers leading to conflict and dangerous driving. 'If the limit is reduced to 20mph many drivers will drive between 10 and 20mph meaning locals that are used to the roads being 30mph or 40mph are reduced to a fraction of the speed they have been doing for years, decades even, which in turn leads to dangerous overtakes, aggressive conflicts and the potential for accidents increases exponentially. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think it is a great misuse of public funds to roll out such a wide change of speed limits with everything that comes with that to then enforce them and will not only negatively impact the reputation of the council but also cause widespread discourse throughout the county.' Cabinet will be asked to decide whether to go ahead with the introduction of the speed limit after considering the objections at the meeting on Tuesday.
