• Works start Monday 12 April

Three weeks of overnight work to renew the road surface on sections of the A702 between Melbourne Crossroads and Easter Howgate is set to begin on Monday 12 April.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will carry out the project, with all works to be completed by the morning of Saturday 1 May. Working hours will be between 19.30 and 06.00 each night. No works are planned for Saturday or Sunday nights.

For the safety of road workers and motorists, the following closures and restrictions will be in place during these works:

• On the nights of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20 April, a road closure will be in place between Melbourne Crossroads and Hillhead Junction. A diversion will be signposted via Penicuik, the A721, A72, A701 and A703, adding an estimated 10 minutes to affected journeys. Local access will be maintained.
• On the nights of 21, 22 and 23 April, a road closure will be in place between Nine Mile Burn and Hillhead Junction, A diversion will be signposted via Penicuik, the A766, the A701 and the A703, adding an estimated 7 minutes to affected journeys. Local Access will be maintained.
• On the nights of 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 April, temporary traffic lights with a 10mph convoy system will be in place at Easter Howgate.

All traffic management will be removed during the daytime.

Consultation has taken place with all relevant stakeholders in advance of these works to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements.

All personnel on site will be subject to strict physical distancing protocols in line with Scottish Government guidance. Thorough risk assessments have been developed and cleansing stations will be implemented on site.

Materials removed from the existing carriageway will be recycled using SEPA approved methods.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “These surfacing improvements across sections of the A702 will address and repair defects in the road surface, such as potholes or cracks, creating safer and smoother journeys for motorists.

“The planned traffic management is essential to ensure the safety of road workers and motorists, however to help minimise delays we’ve planned the works to take place during night-time hours.

“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.trafficscotland.org for up to date travel information and allowing extra time for their journey.