News on SfP East Lothian

Measures in local town centres

Work will shortly start on the introduction of temporary measures to enable safe and appropriate access in and around East Lothian town centres in line with current government guidance.

The measures are focused on protecting public health, supporting social distancing and preventing a second wave of the outbreak.

Environment spokesperson, Cllr Norman Hampshire, said: “ Spaces for People funding has been made available to local authorities to deal with the outcome of the covid-19 pandemic and specifically to assist people as restrictions of movement are gradually eased. These temporary measures are designed to assist the public in maintaining physical distancing, enhance safer movement and access and to promote areas for safe exercise.”

“In response to our consultation on this we received nearly 3,000 contributions with over 750 detailed comments from across the county and we are hoping to implement as many as feasible. Given the requirements to take exercise close to home there has been a huge increase in cycling locally. Many comments received sought opportunities to continue cycling and some changes being made to roads will see the creation of circular cycle routes of 3-5km in each town which can be used by novice cyclists building up confidence to cycle in traffic.”

“Each of the county’s six main towns will see measures introduced but it’s important to emphasise that these are temporary and will remain under review.

The details of the temporary measures include:

Musselburgh

Investigate with ScottishPower, owners of the electric bridge, to open the bridge for non-motorised vehicles

Widen the cycle lane on Edinburgh road to 1.8m

Re-time pedestrian crossing signals on High Street

Dedicate one carriageway of the Loan, Wallyford to shared use walking and cycling to Wallyford Primary School

Tranent

Temporarily close Winton Place to vehicle traffic in favour of pedestrians and cyclists

Consider additional space for distanced queuing at bus stops

Haddington

Temporary closure of Tynebank Road to through traffic

Replace parking on Hospital Road from West Road to hospital entrance with cycle lane

Market Street and High Street increase pavement space to accommodate queuing and social distancing

Hardgate (between Victoria Terrace & Church Street) make one-way to provide more pedestrian space

Prestonpans

Creation of a ‘pop up’ cycle lane between Levenhall and Prestonpans

Temporary creation of an on-road cycle lane on B1361 from west of train station

Dunbar

Temporary reduction of Back Road to single carriageway with priority to traffic coming up the hill

Temporary closure of road from Eweford to Belhaven Hospital

Westgate and Victoria Street have narrow footways so removal of parking to create temporary segregated space for pedestrians and cyclists

North Berwick

Temporary closure of East High Street to through traffic

Provide wider pedestrian access on Central and West High Street

In rural locations additional cycle racks will be installed at countryside sites including coastal car parks and new 20mph speed limits will be introduced in all towns.

Posted on 3rd July 2020

by East Lothian Council