THE intention to close a road that connects Tranent and Prestonpans has been outlined by East Lothian Council, as it announces plans to seek a statutory order.

The order would see the well-used Johnnie Cope’s Road close to all vehicles on either side of the bridge that crosses the A1.

At a meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, concern was expressed about the planned closure.

DJ Johnston-Smith, the group’s chairman, stressed that people had to be made aware of the consequences.

He said: “People need to know that this is a sincere plan – it is going to happen.

“The intention is clear, the road is going to be closed. How do we respond to this?”

Community councillors were unanimously against the proposals, describing them as “an absolute nonsense” and “insane”.

READ MORE: Possible closure of Johnnie Cope's Road ‘a matter of life and death’

The road starts in the north at the junction with Gardiner Terrace, near Prestonpans Railway Station. It then crosses the A1 by bridge and joins Brickworks Road in Tranent to the south.

It was originally due to close as a through route when the A1 Tranent bypass opened in 1986, but be kept open for walkers and cyclists.

However, the closure was not legally effective as the then highways authority – Lothian Regional Council – never made the necessary TROs (traffic regulation order) needed to authorise it.

It was stated that East Lothian Council put forward plans to its cabinet to close the road in 2020, but this was halted by Covid-19.

Minutes from the meetings indicate no changes in the original plan from the 1980s, suggesting a revival of the plans as they were first arranged.

The newly elected cabinet has decided to press ahead with a new TRO, which was presented to statutory stakeholders last week and will be opened to public consultation in the near future.

'This is a shambles'

Community councillors questioned the rationale of reviving a plan that was first established more than 30 years ago, ignoring the significant “demographic change” the area had since undergone.

Joe Simpson, community councillor, added: “If they have the brass neck to say that this goes back to 1986 then this is a shambles.”

Under the proposal, controlled gates would be erected at both ends of the road bridge to facilitate access for authorised vehicles (such as emergency or large works vehicles) and the small number of local residents when required.

The closure would mean those wishing to access Prestonpans Railway Station from Tranent would be forced to use the Bankton Roundabout at Blindwells or travel via Strawberry Corner at Wallyford.

Residents also raised concerns that the prevalent flooding of the road, combined with the closure, would leave commuters using the railway station car park “trapped”, but the council believes that recent drainage works will “minimise” the risk of flooding during “normal rainfall”.

The community council posted on its Facebook page to garner public opinion, resulting in almost universal distaste for the plans.

'Responsibility to listen'

Councillor Lachlan Bruce, ward member for Preston Seton Gosford, stressed that the local authority’s decision should reflect the views of the people.

He said: “There is a consultation happening on Johnnie Cope’s Road and I think, as councillors, we have a responsibility to listen to the public, otherwise what is the point of even consulting?

“It would confirm what a lot of people think, which is the council does things to communities instead of with them.

“If the public say they want to keep the road open to all traffic then that needs to happen and the council will need to figure out how to make that happen.”

East Lothian Council began its statutory consultation last Monday; this will run for three weeks, before a five-week public consultation opens.

A council spokesperson said: “The main reason for the road to be closed to vehicular traffic is on the grounds of road safety. The structure was not designed to take the volume of traffic using it.

“It was built as an accommodation bridge for the farmer and always intended to be closed to vehicular traffic.

“There are alternative, more appropriate roads within close proximity. The council is seeking to redesignate the road to permit pedestrian and cyclists only, which will provide a safer environment for those users whilst still allowing essential access for emergency services, residents and farming activities.”