A FOOTPATH around the edge of a town’s football ground is set to be built to separate pedestrians from traffic on a "rat-run" road after funding was secured.
Tynebank Road is home to Haddington Athletic FC’s home ground Millfield, as well as Haddington Care Home, but has had a long stretch with no pavement for years, despite being used regularly by residents of all ages to get into the town centre – and by youngsters making their way to and from Knox Academy and the surrounding primary schools.
The route has been described as “a rat-run, which increased the amount of traffic during the route during peak hours”.
READ MORE: Seven options for new path at ‘rat-run’ road
East Lothian Council has applied for permission to create a new footpath and road crossing to link Mill Wynd and the care home to the centre of town running around the football grounds, to avoid removing any hedgerow.
The council said it had received funding from Scottish charity Paths For All to allow the new route to be built and designed it to have minimal impact on the hedges and trees which line the road and the Hi Hi's football ground, where a new stand is currently being built.
READ MORE: Work under way on new stand at Haddington Athletic's home
A council spokesperson said: “We have applied for planning permission to develop a new footpath, fencing and lighting at Tynebank Road, connecting Mill Wynd to Meadowpark in Haddington.
“The proposed path will run alongside Haddington Athletic grounds and the sports pitches, providing a safe and accessible surface, separate from the road, with a crossing point outside Haddington Care Home linking it to the existing footpath.
“The project is being fully funded through Paths for All and, subject to planning approval, we hope that work will start in February 2025.
“A construction process has been agreed which will have minimal impact on the trees.
"The hedgerow at Tynebank Road will remain in place, with only a small section of hedge removed on Mill Wynd to accommodate the crossing point.”
The plans have been lodged on the council’s planning portal for comment.
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