A68 Main Street, Pathhead queries on new pedestrian crossing: EIR release

Information requested

As a resident who will be directly affected by this proposal, I have to ask what sort of 'consultation' will take place? It appears that decisions have already been made, given that trees have already been cut down and the surrounding ironworks removed.

As an asthmatic, the days when we can have our front windows open are few and far between due to exhaust fumes. As I envision queues of standing traffic in compliance with the traffic lights, laden LGVs, vehicles of all ages pulling away up the slope, the increase in fumes and pollution will increase dramatically and reduce the air quality even further.

I therefore seek sight of the current levels of pollution at this junction and the projected environmental impact resulting from the installation of a crossing.

Response

I have separated this response into 2 parts:

1. I have to ask what sort of 'consultation' will take place? It appears that decisions have already been made, given that trees have already been cut down and the surrounding ironworks removed.
   
   This is being answered as business as usual and I can advise that the following has already taken place.
   
   Engagement with the A68 Focus Group and Tynewater Community Council in regard to pedestrian crossing facilities across the A68 in Pathhead has been ongoing since before 2019. Options for the pedestrian crossings were discussed at meetings on 17 February 2020 and 7 March 2021. Following an assessment undertaken by Transport Scotland of pedestrian movements across the A68 in Pathhead, a survey of the residents of Pathhead was carried out by the local MSP’s office in August 2021. The survey was to gather feedback from residents for the need and preferred locations of pedestrian crossings on the A68 in the village. Options for the pedestrian crossings were then again discussed at meetings on 25 July 2022 and 7 November 2022 with the local MSP, A68 Focus Group, Tynewater Community Council, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, Midlothian Council and BEAR. A survey of the residents of Roman Camp area of Pathhead was carried out by the local MSP’s office in September 2022. Further engagement was then undertaken with residents who were identified as being immediately affected by the pedestrian crossing proposals through a letter from BEAR Scotland which was sent out on 18 May 2023. Feedback from this engagement is currently being reviewed and is ongoing. No further consultation is planned for this location over and above that which has already been undertaken as set out above.
2. I therefore seek sight of the current levels of pollution at this junction and the projected environmental impact resulting from the installation of a crossing. This is being dealt with under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs).
   
   An exception under regulation 11(2) of the EIRs (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exception is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception.
   
   Please see Annex A to this response, Air Quality is assessed at Part 5.2 of the environmental screening report.

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Annex A - Environmental Screening Report

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