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 Environment Correspondent Louise Batchelor"Objectors to the new dual carriageway in Midlothian are holding a public meeting"  real 28k |
Road protesters step up fight
Local residents are concerned about traffic impact
Objectors to a new dual carriageway through Edinburgh's greenbelt are vowing to step up their fight.
Midlothian Council says the A701 needs to be upgraded to support economic development in the area and to make it safer.
However, local residents are worried it will encourage extra traffic and lead to building on greenbelt land.
The campaign against the scheme, which includes three community councils, are hoping to generate further support at a public meeting on Friday.
Midlothian Council says the A701 needs to be upgraded to support economic development in the area and to make it safer.
However, local residents are worried it will encourage extra traffic and lead to building on greenbelt land.
The campaign against the scheme, which includes three community councils, are hoping to generate further support at a public meeting on Friday.
 The Ikea store opened in November
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Midlothian Council has already come in for criticism over giving planning permission to the massive Ikea store, an out of town development.
Those against the upgrade have also condemned Scottish Transport Minister Sarah Boyack for refusing to "call in" the application, saying it is contrary to her policies on controlling traffic growth.
One protestor has said residents' views are being ignored leaving them with no option except to chain themselves to bulldozers.
Environment campaigner Joan Higginson said: "The area has been taken care of by the local people.
"They have got together with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Green Belt Trust and taken care of it for the last 10 years.
Those against the upgrade have also condemned Scottish Transport Minister Sarah Boyack for refusing to "call in" the application, saying it is contrary to her policies on controlling traffic growth.
One protestor has said residents' views are being ignored leaving them with no option except to chain themselves to bulldozers.
Environment campaigner Joan Higginson said: "The area has been taken care of by the local people.
"They have got together with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Green Belt Trust and taken care of it for the last 10 years.
We feel that the tranquillity will be lost because a road will ruin what we have created  |
Joan Higginson
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"It is a site for birds, trees and little plants that are starting to regenerate.
"We feel that the tranquillity will be lost because a road will ruin what we have created."
But Midlothian councillor Russell Imrie said it was vital to come up with a "balanced development" which would produce the right kind of infrastructure to aid the growth of the biotech industry.
Traffic chaos
The opening of the Ikea store in November caused major traffic problems in the area.
Police had to make repeated appeals to motorists to stay away as tailbacks stretched as far as the Lothianburn junction of the Edinburgh bypass.
Interest reached fever pitch as shoppers rushed to get a taste of the Swedish furniture giant's first Scottish store.
Store bosses, who had been aware of the potential for traffic problems, tried to dissuade people from turning up by car in the first two weeks.
They even offered free delivery to customers who travelled by bike or bus.
"We feel that the tranquillity will be lost because a road will ruin what we have created."
But Midlothian councillor Russell Imrie said it was vital to come up with a "balanced development" which would produce the right kind of infrastructure to aid the growth of the biotech industry.
Traffic chaos
The opening of the Ikea store in November caused major traffic problems in the area.
Police had to make repeated appeals to motorists to stay away as tailbacks stretched as far as the Lothianburn junction of the Edinburgh bypass.
Interest reached fever pitch as shoppers rushed to get a taste of the Swedish furniture giant's first Scottish store.
Store bosses, who had been aware of the potential for traffic problems, tried to dissuade people from turning up by car in the first two weeks.
They even offered free delivery to customers who travelled by bike or bus.
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