Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said a major upgrade of Edinburgh’s Sheriffhall Roundabout remains a ‘priority’ for the Scottish Government, more than two years after a report on the project was completed.

Funding for the ‘flyover’ scheme to separate local traffic from motorway traffic and cut traffic jams at the congested roundabout are part of the UK and Scottish Government’s Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The upgrade of the notorious junction, which sees regular traffic jams and tailbacks, has been awaiting approval since the report of a public inquiry was handed to ministers nearly two years ago, says Edinburgh News. Ms Hyslop did admit that there was no set start date for the work to commence, however.

Now Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs has said that a decision on the upgrade must be made ahead of the elections next May.

“Otherwise, it’s probably not going to happen,” he said. “The government keeps saying it is committed to the project, but if they really wanted to get this moving forward they could have.”

Mr Briggs was speaking after Midlothian North & Musselburgh SNP MSP Colin Beattie asked for an update on the Sheriffhall project in the Scottish Parliament.

He said:

“Many of my constituents are growing increasingly concerned about the delay in the progress of the Sheriffhall interchange project. Will the cabinet secretary give my constituents any comfort regarding timelines for the delivery of the scheme?”

Fiona Hyslop added:

“I reassure the member that the Scottish Government remains committed to delivering improvements at Sheriffhall. Although I cannot give a definitive timeline today, I reassure him that ministers recognise it as a priority, and my officials are reviewing the reporter’s report, along with the considerable number of objections, to inform next steps.”

(Picture: Transport Scotland)