Newlandrig, on the outskirts of Vogrie Park, Midlothian
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to introduce speed bumps in a tiny rural community have been put on hold until alternative measures have been given time to take effect.
Residents in Newlandrig, near Vogrie Country Park, had demanded the traffic calming measures amid concerns a 20mph speed limit was being ignored by drivers.
Midlothian Council, which had been dubbed the ‘speed bump capital of Scotland’ is getting ready to put street lights in the hamlet, which has just 17 houses, as well as widening the footpath and narrowing the road at its entrance and exit to reduce speed.
However it was also asked to carry out a consultation on the need for speed bumps.
A report to cabinet revealed that while most residents in Newlandrig and neighbouring community Dewarton backed the bumps – with Dewarton residents asking for them to be extend to their village as well – the overall response to the consultation which included wider communities was low.
Officers told cabinet that while their advice remains not to introduce the bumps which they say are normally avoided on B roads if councillors do decide to go ahead with them they should include the neighbouring village as well.
However cabinet agreed to delay the speed bumps until data could be gathered on whether the current works made a difference.
Officers said work to install the lighting and road changes would begin on October 19 and finish within six weeks.
Councillors Diane Alexander: “All the research I have done shows street narrowing actually reduces the speed of vehicles going through much more than actual speed bumps.
“I would say let’s see what the improvements we are doing at the moment do and then, if necessary, come back to the speed bumps.”
Council leader Kelly Parry agreed and asked for a report to come back in the spring showing whether the approved work has made a difference to the community.
Cabinet unanimously agreed to delay any further decision on speed bumps.
Former Co-op site
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A clarion call has been issued for the conversion of empty shops in the Scottish Borders into much-needed affordable homes.
Members of the council’s Executive Committee today (Tuesday, October 6) endorsed an ambitious five-year housing plan which sets a target of more than 1,100 homes to be built in the region over the period.
But members were informed that more realistically the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027 -2032 will deliver just over 700 new homes due in part to financial constraints.
During the debate, Councillor Jenny Linehan, Conservative for Leaderdale and Melrose, raised the hope that SBC could target long-vacant retail premises to tackle the current housing emergency.
She said: “I see so many places on our High Streets with empty shops. I think a lot of people would like to see that we are looking into converting them into homes.”
In response, Lindsey Renwick, SBC’s Principal Officer for Housing Strategy, Policy and Development, said: “In terms of using empty shops there is an example in the SHIP of Channel Street in Galashiels, a project with Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA).
“So there are opportunities to use empty shops to become affordable homes. It is usually on a site by site basis.
“Converting shops is something that has been considered and recently, as part of the New Homes Agency, we did piece of work looking a vacant empty buildings, vacant land opportunities and we’ve compiled a list that we have sent to Scottish Government and there could be opportunities for funding through the new agency.”
It is now hoped that SBHA’s purchase of the long-vacant former Co-operative building at 34-36 Channel Street could act as a “benchmark” for future similar developments.
The acquisition serves as the crucial first step in a major town regeneration project aimed at breathing new life into the empty building by transforming it into much-needed modern homes
A SHIP articulates how the council and its Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) partners will seek to deliver the Borders affordable housing investment needs and outcomes, over a rolling five-year planning period.
The SHIP sets out a very ambitious potential pipeline of up to 1,184 new affordable Borders homes with an estimated investment value of £331m during 2027- 2032.
But based on current Resource Planning Assumptions, only 705 new homes could be delivered based on current funding available.
Lasswade High School football pitch
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Sports clubs, community organisations and local groups can now apply for a second round of funding through Midlothian Council’s Summer of Sport Grant Scheme.
The funding is available as part of sportscotland’s Summer of Sport investment, which aims to help children and young people aged 3 to 26 across Midlothian get active, stay active and improve their lives.
The grant scheme supports safe, welcoming and inclusive opportunities that reduce barriers to participation and help more children and young people connect with sport and physical activity.
Funding is available through:
– Level 1 awards of up to £1,000
– Level 2 awards from £1,000 up to £3,000 per project
Organisations can apply more than once, including as part of different partnerships, provided each application is for a different project.
How to apply
Full guidance, application information and the online application form are available on the website.
Apply online for Summer of Sport Grant Scheme here.
All applications must be completed using the online application form. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 14 October 2026.
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