A SCHEME is being designed to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to travel across and around the Wallyford Toll roundabout.
The changes are a "key part" of longer-term proposals to make it easier to walk and cycle between Prestonpans, Wallyford, Musselburgh and Tranent.
A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: "Once the routes are complete, many more people will feel able to choose to walk or cycle, knowing that they can reach their destination easily and quickly.
"Being a large roundabout with limited facilities for people walking, cycling and wheeling, Wallyford Toll roundabout is currently a barrier to travel on foot, in wheelchairs or by bike. Any existing provision on the approaches to the roundabout is severed by the traffic on the roundabout, and there is no safe way for blind or partially sighted people to make a connection across it."
Consultants AECOM have been enlisted and the design work is being funded by Transport Scotland via the Cycling, Walking, Safer Routes grant. Further funding will have to be identified before the council is able to implement any changes.
Additionally, two projects focused on providing improved routes for people walking, cycling and wheeling are planned that connect to or across the roundabout:
- As part of Musselburgh Active Toun (MAT), a new segregated cycleway (Route 2) is to be provided on the A199 Haddington Road, connecting Wallyford Toll to Musselburgh;
- The high-quality Segregated Active Travel Corridor (SATC) is proposed to connect Dunbar to Edinburgh, mostly following the A199 corridor – the current proposal for the route is for it to connect through Wallyford Park and Ride before crossing The Loan and continuing westwards towards Wallyford Railway Station.
The council spokesperson added: "Facilities at the roundabout for people walking, cycling and wheeling need to be improved to allow people to move between from the existing and proposed routes at the roundabout."
The map shows the existing road layout with existing and proposed active travel routes for discussion. At the left-hand side is a proposed segregated cycleway on the Haddington road as part of the Musselburgh Active Toun initiative which leads up to the north side of the roundabout. This route may then possibly connect to the route shown in green dots which is a footway but not currently signed as shared use. This also may make up part of a Segregated Active Travel Corridor which is a largely off-road route for walking, wheeling and cycling which will provide a faster and more direct connection through the county, from Dunbar through Haddington and Musselburgh and on to Edinburgh. The council says this is only a guide and the consultation may bring out other proposals for consideration.
The types of measures that are being considered include: new signalised crossings to allow people to cross safely; improved facilities to allow people to walk, wheel and cycle safely around and across the roundabout; and narrowing the space for vehicles at the roundabout.
The spokesperson added: "We are currently exploring options.
"We expect to conclude this process in March and will be taking forward a preferred option to detailed design. We expect to have our designs complete by summer 2023."
Councillor John McMillan, cabinet member for environment, economic development and tourism, said: "Communities across East Lothian have expressed an interest in the creation of safer routes for active travel.
"During the pandemic, many local residents enjoyed the opportunity of walking or cycling on quieter routes and would like to continue on safer routes.
"We are seeking opinions from people who live close to and use this roundabout on some design options to facilitate safer routes for active travel."
To sign up to the mailing list and have a say on existing traffic issues, opportunities and constraints at this roundabout, email WallyfordToll@aecom.com
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