EAST Lothian Council’s position on Johnnie Cope’s Road has been ridiculed by community councillors, as its position on the safety of the road’s bridge over the A1 was dubbed “Schrödinger’s bridge”.

The proposed closure of the road was again discussed at the March meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, with the council’s reasoning behind the plan the topic of discussion.

Key to the community councillors’ problem were statements by East Lothian Council that the group believed were saying the bridge was both safe and unsafe.

The bridge is maintained by Transport Scotland and council officials have previously claimed “it’s not suitable, nor was it ever designed, to take the volume and type of traffic currently using it”.

Johnnie Cope’s Road connects Prestonpans and Tranent, crossing the A1, and provides a link for residents between the towns.

Last year, East Lothian Council revitalised a 1986 plan to close the road to most traffic in order to create an active travel route, limiting vehicular access to residents and emergency services.

A five-week public consultation period has now ended, with the council currently analysing responses before making its final decision.

DJ Johnston-Smith, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, reiterated his view that no evidence had been provided to support the closure and urged officials to present a “good reason to close the road”.

He said: “It’s becoming Schrödinger’s bridge – both safe and unsafe.

“Much of the evidence gathering is taking place after the decision has been made.”

Schrödinger’s cat is a thought experiment that illustrates how a hypothetical cat may be considered both alive and dead while it is unobserved in a closed box.

Colin Yorkston, ward councillor for Preston Seton Gosford, interjected and said: “A decision certainly hasn’t been taken.”

However, Mr Johnston-Smith disputed this, pointing to the fact Mr Yorkston had said at a previous meeting he was “not opposed” to the closure of the road.

An online meeting between the eight ward councillors representing Preston Seton Gosford and Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, that took place prior to the consultation was also raised; seven were allegedly in favour of closure, but it was not an official vote.

Mr Johnston-Smith said: “This hasn’t been an evidence-driven plan.”

Mr Yorkston agreed and stated that he “wouldn’t be able to support the closure”, saying he was yet to be presented with evidence to support the proposal.

Fellow ward councillor Lachlan Bruce said that he believed the process was “clearly lacking professionalism”.

He added: “I don’t think it [the evidence] exists.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Throughout this process, our position regarding the bridge has been consistent.

“The road was originally to have been closed as a through route when the A1 Tranent bypass opened in 1986, but kept open for farm access, walkers, cyclists and equine.

“To this end, a bridge was provided where it crosses the A1 and ‘no through road except cycles’ signs were sited at both the Tranent and Prestonpans ends and a gate installed.

“The single-lane bridge, which is the responsibility of Transport Scotland, was designed as an accommodation bridge and its intended use was for occasional farm access, large stock movements between fields, equine and pedestrian use. The road was never intended to take the volume and type of traffic currently using it and there is very limited scope to re-engineer the road.

“Safety is of course our top priority and this proposal was brought forward because the Johnnie Cope’s Road lends itself to a sustainable access route for walkers, cyclists and equine with their safety assured. The proposal allows for emergency services access, farmer access and access for any residents whilst aligning with national and local policy on active travel. No decision of the council or a committee has been taken at this time. Officers are currently reviewing the responses received.”