RESIDENTS in North Berwick are being asked for their input on how to make journeys to school safer, as changes to road layouts are considered.

Stantec, formerly known as Peter Brett Associates, has helped East Lothian Council secure funding to improve active travel opportunities and road safety around Law Primary and North Berwick High Schools.

It is now looking to improve the infrastructure around the schools and make journeys to them safer and more enjoyable.

Residents are now being asked to share their thoughts.

This study follows from a project Stantec completed last year and is being undertaken alongside the Sustrans ‘Places for Everyone’ process.

Stantec engaged with the council, both schools and other groups and individuals last year through events, online surveys and face-to-face workshops, producing its latest designs as a result of this feedback.

This study is separate to the council’s ‘Spaces for People’ initiative, which is related to making streets in East Lothian’s town centre’s safer so people can adhere to social distancing.

Four areas around the schools have been identified.

On Grange Road, additional traffic calming measures are being considered, with new access links to the remote walking and cycling path. One option consists of new raised table junctions and tie-in points, while option two is broadly similar but includes a raised zebra crossing and additional raised table junction.

On Grange Road’s junction with Haddington Road, a new signalised junction could be introduced, with plans also including improved active travel links from Wishart Avenue to the schools and sports centre. Option one includes a signalised junction, advanced stop lines, new footways and reducing the junction width, with option two also including retaining an existing footway.

Changes are also being considered on the Haddington Road and Lochbridge Road junction to control traffic and provide safer crossing. Option one consists of two zebra crossings and a raised table; with option two including one zebra crossing and two raised tables; option three a toucan crossing, raised table and zebra crossing; and option four a toucan crossing and two raised tables.

The final plan includes creating a safe active travel route from Law Primary and the future nursery on the old Haddington Road from its junction with the current Haddington Road. Option one includes a new footpath and reducing the old Haddington Road to a single carriageway, with option two broadly similar but with a different layout.

Those at Stantec were hoping to hold face-to-face consultations but these have moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Once feedback has been gathered, it will be used to refine the designs and identify preferred options. Once approval has been granted from Sustrans, the designs will be developed; once approved again, they will be designed and constructed.

For more information and to have your say, go to bit.ly/3hrn86k and contact Stantec at NorthBerwickSAT@stantec.com