Multi-million pound bypass opens

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson (R) opened the Dalkeith bypass

A £30m bypass in Midlothian, which saw protesters camp in trees in a bid to stop it being built, has been opened.

Officials said Dalkeith Northern Bypass would ease congestion and bring "real benefits" to local communities along the route.

The 3.5 mile single carriageway road was built by Morgan Est, on behalf of Transport Scotland.

The road links a new junction on the A720 Edinburgh City bypass with the A68 to the south of Dalkeith.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This vital bypass will ease congestion for residents in the heart of Dalkeith."

About 1.35 million vehicles and 180,000 heavy goods vehicles currently travel through the centre of Dalkeith each year.

The new bypass could cut traffic through the town by more than half, the Scottish Government said.

Preparations for the bypass also involved the recently completed £2.2m package of improvements to the A720 Sheriffhall roundabout while environmental mitigation measures to minimise the impact of the road have included planting 20,000 trees and shrubs as well as landscaping.

Jag Paddam, Morgan Est managing director of infrastructure projects, said: "It's fantastic to see the bypass open and we've enjoyed working with Transport Scotland on such an important project for local people.

"The bypass will benefit those living and working in Dalkeith hugely by not only dramatically reducing congestion in the town but also improving travel links to and from Dalkeith."