A CAMPAIGN has been launched for the county’s main transport corridor to be renamed to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh wants the A1 renamed the Queen’s Highway.

However, the idea has not met with universal favour throughout East Lothian, where the route stretches from Dunglass in the east to outside Musselburgh and the Edinburgh boundary.

Sir Edward told the House of Commons the “beautiful Great North Road” should be renamed after the Queen to celebrate her 70 years on the throne next year.

Speaking during transport questions, he said: “The A1, the Great North Road, is a beautiful road linking Scotland and England – and I think, to honour the upcoming jubilee, we should rename it the Queen’s Highway; why not?

“But it is not an entirely safe road. I have spent hundreds of hours on it; there are many fatalities on it.”

Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian’s MP, felt there were more pressing matters than changing the 410-mile route’s name.

He said: “What it needs is upgraded, not a new name.

“It’ll always be the A1 for most folk but having it fully dualled would be better.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, was not in favour of the idea.

He said: “I think it is known as the A1 and don’t think it is appropriate to change it to a different name.

“It should be known as the A1 trunk road and calling a road a particular name is not the right thing to do.

“There are many other things that we could name that would be more appropriate for celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee.”

Councillor Tom Trotter, who represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, also felt there might be a more fitting gesture to mark the occasion than renaming the road.

He said: “I think the A1 suffices for me.

“It has always been the A1 and always will be the A1.

“It is right that they mark the occasion in some manner but I am not sure this would be the way to do it.”

Preston Seton Gosford ward member councillor Lachlan Bruce felt the idea had merit.

He said: “This idea is worthy of further consideration and it would be an appropriate way to mark Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee.

“However, what was of more importance in his contribution was the need to focus on significantly upgrading the A1.

“Sir Edward was completely right about that and what we need to see is the A1 dualled all the way to the Border.”

An “extra A1 turn-off” was also required to serve the new town of Blindwells, he added.

“That would take away the increased pressure on this vital route that everyone knows will build up there when people start to move into the new town,” said Mr Bruce.

While Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry ward councillor Colin McGinn said: “People are free to express their beliefs about recognising historic and important figures.

“At this time, however, I feel the focus should be on getting the country on a road to recovery and allow the agencies involved to focus on that work. If there is an opinion that this is a good idea then it could be brought forward at a better time.”

Musselburgh councillor Stuart Currie agreed there would be other ideas worth considering.

He said: “There are always lots of ideas that come from the House of Commons; some make sense and some don’t.

“You have to be careful of the costs of having to rename a trunk road going through Scotland to England; it would be hugely costly.

“Obviously, in terms of the trunk road network, as soon as you cross the Border it changes responsibility. I suspect he may have thought it only went to the Border and did not go any further.”