MORE than 350 people have signed a petition calling for a busy route in and out of Haddington to be made safer.

Resident Shirley Bisset has been calling for changes to be made to Dunbar Road and Hardgate for more than six years.

The petition comes after she held discussions with East Lothian Council, local councillors and MSPs, as well as Police Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureau.

The petition, which was handed over to East Lothian Council at the end of January, will be considered by the council’s petitions and community empowerment review committee this afternoon (Thursday).

According to the officer’s report: “The petition seeks to make the road safer for everyone, particularly residents living on Abbots View, Riverside Drive, Artillery Park, etc; she contends that issues on Dunbar Road also affect these residents due to vehicles speeding from the roundabout coming off the A1, and due to parked cars blocking the left-hand view for drivers coming out of Traprain Terrace.

“The petitioner contends that there has been a significant increase in artic lorries, tractor traffic, construction traffic, speeding and dangerous public parking, partly caused by an increase in traffic from new housing developments, and by deliveries to and from local shops, farms, and quarries.

“She states that Dunbar Road is overused when compared to West Road, and that the 20mph speed limit is not adhered to.

“The petitioner also contends that the road is not wide enough for larger vehicles such as artic lorries, tractors, buses, and construction traffic when cars are parked on both sides of the road, and disagrees with the council’s response that parking on both sides of the road reduces speeding.”

Ten pages will be considered by Councillor John McMillan, Councillor Lachlan Bruce, Councillor Norman Hampshire and Councillor Lyn Jardine, who make up the committee, which will meet virtually.

A series of questions are asked, including why the council has not “acknowledged” that the number of cars and vans parked on the streets creates bottlenecks.

However, the council argues that the road is wide enough for vehicles to pass “with due care and attention” and removing parking would “likely see an increase in traffic speeds and as a consequence a potential danger to all road users and pedestrians”.

Officials also stressed that as long as a vehicle was taxed and insured, it could park on Dunbar Road, with no powers to stop vehicles from doing so.

Concerns about speeding were also to be passed on to Police Scotland, who have carried out speed checks on other busy routes in and out of the town.

The concerned Haddington resident noted an incident in January 2019 when “a boy racer” crashed into the bus shelter on Hardgate.

She said: “You could hear the car speed from International Tyre Service down Dunbar Road and I knew he would crash.

“We have young children who live on Dunbar Road yet East Lothian Council and the police do nothing and they do not care!”

The council official said that the issue should be reported to Police Scotland and added: “Sadly, the issue described is usually caused by inconsiderate drivers who disregard the needs or safety of others.

“Unfortunately, there is little the council can effectively do if some drivers choose to behave in this way.

“Fortunately, these drivers are in a minority.”

The committee will consider the petition and then take “action as required”.