Residents are being asked for their views on key active travel routes which aim to encourage more people to walk and cycle in the Musselburgh area.

The proposals are being developed as part of the Musseburgh Active Toun (MAT) project. They have evolved from the Musselburgh Active Travel Network Masterplan, produced in 2018, which identified six key active travel routes.

Following a delay in development during the Covid-19 pandemic, a further consultation opened in May 2021 which focused on outline design options for three key routes which run west to east north of the town centre, and south to north from the new developments near Queen Margaret University and along the River Esk.

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Feedback from this consultation helped shape preferred designs for the routes. They are: Route 1 West – Milton Road East to New Street; Route 2 – A199 to Wallyford Roundabout, via New Street and Linkfield Road; and Route 5 – Old Craighall to Goosegreen.

Consideration of other developments and projects in the area has also resulted in some revision of the route network, a spokesperson for East Lothian Council said.

Part of Route 5 is being designed and taken forward by the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme (MFPS) – a separately funded project from Musselburgh Active Toun – to avoid repeated disruption for local residents, they explained.

Route 1 provides links to the town centre and High Street destinations. These connect adjoining routes at the Esk and Route 2. The route proposes to use the new Shorthope pedestrian/cycle bridge to be provided by the MFPS.

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Key features of the proposals include: North High Street – quiet street cycle route with traffic calming, contraflow cycling; Shorthope Street – traffic restrictions, traffic calming and contraflow cycling; Millhill and Kerr Wynd – quiet street cycle route with traffic calming.

Route 2 provides the cross-town link extending from Wallyford to Joppa. This route connects many of the key destinations in the town including Wallyford railway station, Musselburgh Racecourse, town centre, schools and Fisherrow Harbour. The current design proposals are between New Street and Wallyford.

Key features of the proposals include: New Street and Millhill – quiet street cycle route with traffic calming; Electric Bridge replacement proposed to be provided by the MFPS; Linkfield Road – segregated cycle track and new pedestrian crossings; Haddington Road – segregated cycle track and new pedestrian crossings (including Levenhall roundabout); the western extent at Edinburgh Road is still under development and to be shared early 2024.

Route 5 will connect the Queen Margaret University (QMU) campus and Musselburgh train station sites to the town centre. The MAT project will deliver the section of route between QMU and Monktonhall Terrace/Haugh Park. The MFPS will deliver the route from Haugh Park to the town centre via the Esk path.

Key features of the proposed MAT designs include: new junction configuration at QMU/Musselburgh station to improve safety of people walking and cycling; Stoneybank Terrace – quiet street cycle route with traffic calming, placemaking and pedestrian improvements; Monktonhall Terrace – new signalised junction and crossings for people walking and cycling; Stoneybank Crescent – traffic calming and bus gate restriction to address issues with rat-running vehicles.

Details of the other three original proposed routes have also progressed.

Route 3 – this will be delivered by the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme similarly to Route 5; Route 4 – is still under development with further details to be shared early 2024; Route 6 – is at an early stage, with two proposed options presented for consideration.

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Route 4 forms part of the Cross East Lothian Active Freeway. This route will provide a largely off-road route for walking, wheeling and cycling which will connect through the county, from Dunbar through Haddington and Musselburgh and onto Edinburgh. The MAT project will be delivering the western part of the Active Freeway from Wallyford to Newcraighall, via QMU.

Route 6 will connect Musselburgh to Newcraigall station and beyond into Edinburgh. This will link key destinations including Fisherrow Harbour, Newhailes and onward into the Fort industrial sites. Two initial design options are a two-way cycle track on north side of Newhailes Road and one-way cycle tracks on both sides of Newhailes Road.

Councillor John McMillan, cabinet spokesperson for environment, economic development and tourism, said: “Musselburgh Active Toun is an exciting initiative to provide more and safer options for active travel both to and from and within Musselburgh. In recent years, more people have taken the opportunity to use methods of active travel more, with many others expressing a desire to be able to walk or cycle on safer, designated routes.

“I would like to encourage people who live, work or visit Musselburgh to provide their thoughts on these proposals, which will improve links within the town and we believe will help to stimulate the town centre as a destination of choice.”

Musselburgh Active Toun is being funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

A ‘Storymap’ has been created which provides a “clear visual guide” to the preferred designs for each of the Musselburgh Active Toun routes. People can access the online consultation at tinyurl.com/3n4ff9rh

The website enables people to leave their comments. Some of the feedback received previously can also be viewed. Feedback on the proposals can also be left via email to musselburghactivetoun@eastlothian.gov.uk