£2.5m spent on county’s active travel

MORE than £2.5 million of external funding was used to support walking, cycling and electric vehicle infrastructure across East Lothian last year.

East Lothian Council secured the money from a variety of sources, including the Road Safety Improvement Fund and Innovate UK.

While Transport Scotland directly funded a range of projects, such as new road crossings, pavement widenings and a new route to school in Wallyford, Sustrans also invested in the strategic cycle network in East Lothian through its NCN Development Fund.

Together, these have allowed the council to move forward with detailed designs for the controversial “active freeway”, a new cycle route linking Dunbar to Musselburgh.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition against plans to reduce the speed limit on the old A1 to create a new cycle path.

The scheme would see a 40mph limit put in place on the A199 between Haddington and Dunbar.

The change in speed limit would be to secure funding for the active freeway, which would see a cycle/pedestrian pathway created alongside the route.

Elsewhere, designs for new cycling infrastructure in Musselburgh are continuing alongside the proposals for the town’s flood protection scheme, ensuring that the town will be fully connected for all modes of transport.

A range of new bike stands have sprung up in schools and town centres, and the county is hosting a new and flexible bike hire scheme.

Councillor John Mcmillan, cabinet member for environment, economic development and tourism, said: “Despite limited resources, we continue to deliver on our commitments to support active and sustainable travel by accessing external funding.”

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