Kaimes View Cycle Path

Following the closure of the Bilston Glen Colliery (1989), the Bilston Glen Railway Branch Line between Millerhill and Loanhead became redundant.  It was later considered that this corridor had potential as a sustainable transport route and a recreational facility in terms of commuting and cycle tourism and has been successfully developed into a network of traffic free cycle paths.

Recently the Loanhead Railway Path that extends from Roslin Glen and ends at an access ramp at Lasswade road had been converted into a cycle path along with the disused railway corridor east from this point parallel with Gilmerton Station Road under the A772, Gilmerton Road (Drum Street), over the A7, Old Dalkeith Road, and intersecting with the new distributor road for Shawfair Park.

This new shared use path of 3km of converted disused railway track bed – links the existing cycle routes which converge at Lasswade Road with Shawfair Park, including the Sherrifhall Park & Ride.

The new section of works involved the construction of a new access path from Kaimes View through Greenfield site owned by Buccleugh Estate. The works we undertook involved:

• Construction of a new machine laid 3.0m width surfaced path with 1 m verges
• Site clearance,
• Fencing,
• Earthworks,
• Pavement,
• Kerbing,
• Landscaping

The majority of the work was carried out remote from the carriageway, however at the sections of the existing cycle path pedestrian management was required to ensure sufficient segregation between work operations and members of the public and vehicles