Consultation on the M8 and M9 Trunk Roads (Newbridge to Hermiston Gait) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Speed Limit) Regulations

Closed 13 Jan 2021

Opened 21 Oct 2020

Feedback updated 23 Mar 2021

We asked

We asked for views on the proposal to make the M8 and M9 Trunk Roads (Newbridge to Hermiston Gait) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Speed Limit) Regulations and in particular comments in relation to the bus lane provisions.

We specifically asked for reference to operational or safety considerations by consultees in support of their comments.

We noted that consultation has been undertaken on the previous actively managed hard shoulder regulations.

You said

Twelve responses were received to the consultation. Five of these were from organisations and seven from individuals. The respondents included a local authority, a public transport organisation, a business group and seven members of the public.

The general feedback from organisations was supportive of the intention to introduce an AMHS.

Comments were received from a number of individual consultees that referred to the use of the hard shoulder as a running lane for vehicles and the impact of the availability of the facility in an emergency. It is noted that the design maintains the hard shoulder facility for use in an emergency and provides additional emergency refuge areas.

A number of the organisations who responded were supportive of the proposals, highlighting the benefit that they will bring to public transport and the promotion of bus travel in particular.

We did

All of the consultation responses have been carefully considered and it was not considered necessary to amend the proposed content of the Regulations.

The Scottish Ministers intend to make the regulations and lay them before the Scottish Parliament with the regulations coming in to force in time for the completion of the project.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The regulations will allow the introduction of an Actively Managed Hard Shoulder (AMHS), for use by certain buses, over a four mile section of the M8 and M9 motorways. This will extend over a four mile section from a point south of the Hillwood Rail overbridge (south of Junction 1 of the M9) in an eastbound direction to the Hermiston Gait Roundabout (Junction 1 of the M8). 

In a supplementary measure, to extend the 50 mph speed limit on the M9 to M8 eastbound interchange link road (Junction 2 of the M8) approximately 570 metres further south towards the merge with the M8 eastbound mainline for the purpose of facilitating the AMHS and ensuring the safety of vehicles travelling on the connector road.

Why your views matter

Traffic regulations are being prepared which are required to be laid before the Scottish Parliament in early 2021. A mandatory requirement of the regulations is that the provisions to be included in the regulations are subject to consultation.

Read the consultation paper (opens as PDF)

What happens next

After the consultation has closed we will consider the comments received and, if appropriate, make the regulations and lay them before the Scottish Parliament in early 2021 prior to its dissolution.

Interests

  • Transport