29 July 2024
MEDIA UPDATE – CHANGES TO FINAL PHASE OF OVERNIGHT A702 DOLPHINTON TO LOTHIANBURN RESURFACING PROGRAMME
The overnight resurfacing works on the A702 at Damhead to Hillend (outlined below), which started on Wednesday 24 July has a few changes.
The diversion route has been updated due to Midlothian Council’s resurfacing works on the original diversion route via A701 northbound. The new signed diversion route will see northbound traffic turn right onto the A768 and then turn left onto the B702 to Straiton Junction. The diversion route southbound is not affected. See attached drawing for details. This diversion arrangement will be in place for the remainder of the works.
An additional night will be required to complete the works. Therefore, the last night of works will now be Friday 2 Aug starting 20:30 – 06:30.
A four-week programme of overnight works on three areas of the A702 between Dolphinton and Lothianburn Junction is set to commence on the night of Monday 8 July.
Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will carry out the works at Dolphinton, Easter Howgate and Damhead to Hillend between 8 July and 2 August. No works are planned for Saturday or Sunday nights.
To ensure the safety of the workforce and public during the works it will be necessary to close the A702 at these locations with signed diversion routes in place.
Dates, times and diversions for each phase are listed below.
| Location of works | Duration | Work hours | Traffic management |
| A702 Dolphinton | Monday 8 – Friday 12 July (5 nights)Monday 15 – Friday 19 July (5 nights) |
19:30-06:30 | · Road closure at Dolphinton with signed diversion between Melbourne Crossroads and Easter Howgate
· Traffic will be diverted via Bush Loan Road, A701 and A721 · This diversion will add approximately 3.2 miles and 9 minutes to affected journeys |
| A702 Dolphinton | Monday 22 – Friday 26 July (5 days)Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August (5 days) |
09:30-15:30 | · Temporary traffic lights |
| A702 Easter Howgate | Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 July
(2 nights) |
19:30-06:30 | · Road closure south of Easter Howgate, with signed diversion between Nine Mile Burn and Easter Howgate
· Traffic will be diverted via Bush Loan Road, A701 and A766 · This diversion will add approximately 1.8 miles and 7 minutes to affected journeys |
| A702 Damhead to Hillend | Wednesday 24 July – Friday 2 August
(8 nights – excluding Saturday and Sunday) |
21:00-06:30 | ·
|
Consultations have been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to share information about the project in advance.
All work is weather dependent and subject to postponement in the event of adverse conditions.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South-East Network Manager said: “These surfacing improvements will address and repair defects in the road surface such as potholes and cracking, creating safer and smoother journeys for motorists.
It is essential for the safety of the workforce that we close the carriageway, however we’ve scheduled the works during overnight hours to minimise any disruption.
“We thank motorists in advance for their patience while our teams carry out these improvements.”
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot for up-to-date information and allowing extra time for their journey.
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