Edinburgh Conservative candidate says Sheriffhall roundabout upgrade must be priority

Plans to upgrade the notorious Sheriffhall roundabout must be made a priority, Edinburgh Southern Conservative candidate Miles Briggs has said.

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The £120 million scheme, which includes a flyover to ease congestion, was halted in February last year so a review could be carried out as part of the SNP s Holyrood budget agreement with the Greens.

But Mr Briggs said the rush-hour queues which have long plagued commuters are getting worse and demanded that the project – financed under the City Region Deal should resume.

Sheriffhall Roundabout on Edinburgh City Bypass. Picture: Randi Stodle

He said: “It has to become a priority. The SNP have been dragging their feet on it. They did a deal with the Greens which has just paused it for a year, so for people using the bypass – particularly at peak times – it’s just getting worse and worse.

"This is a key improvement that need to be prioritised as soon as possible in the next parliament.”

And he said congestion on the bypass had also been neglected for too long. “It’s quite clear it’s over-capacity. Even during the pandemic when people are meant to be working from home there are tailbacks at Sheriffhall every morning.”

He said he had put forward a number of “workable suggestions” which ministers had ignored, including use of “smart motorway” technology and a feasibility study into widening the road.

“Edinburgh and the Lothians are the fastest growing regions in Scotland and it is vital that the necessary infrastructure is in place.

“Scottish Conservatives are determined to win a better deal for Edinburgh and deliver the infrastructure investment Lothian and the East of Scotland desperately needs.”

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