MSP offers support for Drem-Gullane path

The East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan has written to the leader of East Lothian Council expressing his support for the long-running campaign to create a safe path from Drem-Gullane.

Mr McLennan has asked that the council steps up to introduce a safe alternative route between the two villages which would have “substantial” benefits in terms of public safety and active travel. He also suggests that the council engages with the owner of the land where the path will be sited and make the path a priority.

The MSP also offers to meet the council and talk about the possibilities of making the path a reality.

The campaign began almost two decades ago to create an extension to the core path network which includes the John Muir Way. The path would link to the railway station in Drem so that local people have a safe alternative to walking or cycling on the busy road.

In August the campaign urged the council in East Lothian to break the stalemate.

Campaign spokesperson Iain V. Monk said last month: “Twenty years is far too long to wait for something of such clear and undeniable public value. From schoolchildren to commuters, everyone stands to gain from a safe route between Drem and Gullane. 
“The B1345 is a danger zone — cyclists face serious hazards such as fast-moving vehicles and sharp bends, and there are no pavements to protect pedestrians. Our message to Councillor Hampshire is simple: the Council has the power to act, and we are calling on it to do so — now.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “East Lothian Council fully supports the ambition to deliver an active travel route linking the villages of Gullane and Drem. Staff within a range of council teams, associated partners and other interested parties have invested considerable time and resources over the past 17 years in trying to realise this route which has included extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders including residents and landowners over the consideration of a variety of routes.

“In 2022 ELC engaged Stantec, an engineering consultancy, to assess the feasibility of four potential de-sign options prepared by Sustrans, the national walking/cycling charity. Their extensive investigations were to determine whether any of the concept designs are viable and will also meet the design criteria agreed by the council and Sustrans.

“The final report delivered advised that although it is possible to create a potential solution at this cur-rent time ‘all options have failed on the deliverability criteria and are therefore considered unfeasible due to land assembly constraints’.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing news for many and the council shares in this disappointment. The combination of projected traffic impacts and unavailability of additional land means that East Lothian Council cannot pursue this project any further at this stage.”