MAJOR alterations to bus services in East Lothian are “clearly causing anxiety” for residents in the Fa'side area, it has been claimed, as one councillor hopes to have the changes paused.
The service changes, which will come into effect on April 6 and will also include fare rises, were announced by Lothian Buses on Monday, including revised routes for the 26 and X6 buses, both of which previously served Tranent.
The 26 will now only operate between Clerwood and Seton Sands, with the section between Prestonpans and Tranent withdrawn.
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The X6 currently runs from Haddington to Edinburgh every 30 minutes – in the revised route and timetable, it will operate three times a day in each direction, with no service during weekends.
These services have been partially replaced by a new X4, which will run between Haymarket and Tranent via the A1, Wallyford, Prestonpans and Blindwells.
Already, local councillors and representatives on affected community councils have been inundated with concerns about the changes, which are “clearly causing anxiety” for residents.
Petitions on change.org have also been started to save the current 26 and X6 services, both of which have already gathered hundreds of signatures.
Robert McNeill, chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said that he had been contacted non-stop since the announcement was made.
He expressed concern that those commuting from Tranent into Edinburgh would be impacted by the changes.
He said: “It is very concerning if local people can’t get to work in the morning and their options are very limited.
“I think the problem is that it is a bit vague at the moment.”
Currently, the first bus to the Capital from Tranent is the 26, which leaves the town at 4.39am; in the new timetable, the earliest option is the X4, beginning its journey at 5am.
Mr McNeill added that the issue would be top of the priority list at the next community council meeting later this month.
Councillor Colin McGinn, ward member for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, said he hoped the changes could be delayed.
He said: "These suggested changes are clearly causing anxiety across different areas within my ward and that concerns me greatly.
"I intend to speak with colleagues, my MSP and MP with the aim of gathering support which will allow us to contact the service providers in the hope we can pause any changes and allow a better discussion with interested parties.”
Fellow ward councillor Fiona Dugdale agreed and stressed that she would work with colleagues to co-ordinate and raise concerns with the provider.
She said: “It is clear that some communities will face a detrimental impact in terms of the availability of a direct bus service and the cost of travelling to Edinburgh, where two bus journeys, rather than one, will be required.
“Many residents have raised concerns about the impact of these bus service and timetable changes, and as a regular bus user, I can fully understand the concerns expressed."
DJ Johnston-Smith, chairperson of Prestonpans Community Council, believed that the changes to the "well-used" no. 26 bus route "will cause considerable problems for many local residents".
He added: "We will certainly be lodging the strongest possible protest with Lothian Buses and taking the matter up with our local elected representatives at our next meeting later this month".
While Ben Morse, chair of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council, said that the changes came "as a bit of a shock ".
He added: "Obviously a more frequent 26 to/from Cockenzie and Port Seton is welcome; however, it seems as though our connections to all other parts of the county, including the Top 'Pans and Tranent, are now, if anything, worse.
"We would really welcome the opportunity to discuss the needs of our community with Lothian Buses and others.
"Given the huge possibilities for better public transport inter-mode connectivity – for example buses from Cockenzie and Port Seton to Prestonpans station and/or Wallyford – to encourage reducing car use for commuters, we are surprised to see no major efforts to improve this in our area.
"There are also ongoing discussions between multiple community councils in the area as to the impacts of the A1/Tranent-bound bus stop at Blindwells causing traffic difficulties at Meadowmill. This re-evaluation of routes would have provided a further opportunity for meaningful discussions on this and other points."
Councillor Lachlan Bruce, ward member for Preston Seton Gosford ward, said: "I have serious concerns about the proposed changes.
“I am concerned that we are cutting off the Bottom 'Pans from direct public transport links from some vital services like the doctor's and Mercat Gait Centre, as well as Tranent.
"So, for example, if you live in Inchview in the most north-west part of Prestonpans and don’t drive, you are now some distance walk and a steep hill from the doctor's.
"The new route X4 will also mean that it is not possible to get from Blindwells to Musselburgh in a single bus journey, which doesn’t make any sense to me, particularly whilst Blindwells doesn’t have its own high street.
"I have written to ask Lothian Buses who they spoke to locally about the changes and what effect they would have, as they certainly didn’t speak to me as a local councillor or anyone else I know of.
"And if they didn’t speak to anyone locally in advance, [I will ask them] to look at keeping the 26s to Tranent in place until they have.”
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There have also been concerns raised that Macmerry will be particularly affected by the changes.
Travel from Macmerry to Edinburgh will require two buses instead of one, as passengers will need to change from the 106 to the new X4 at Tranent.
David Todd, chairman of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council, noted that there were “no consultations” about the updated routes and described Macmerry as a “sacrificial lamb”.
He said: “There’s severe problems with this – it’s pretty restrictive, especially with all the new housing that’s been built.
“Macmerry now has virtually no useful service.
“As a community council, we’ve raised these concerns with our MP because, as it stands, they’re cutting out Macmerry completely – it’s a sacrificial lamb.
“For things like this, I find it’s best to come up with an alternative solution and then present that.”
Mr Todd proposes that the X6 be reinstated, or the X7 run through Macmerry and join the A1 at Tranent rather than go onto the A1 at Haddington.
He also emphasised that the last bus from Haddington would leave at 10pm and from Tranent at 10.30pm, and suggested that this would spoil the prospect of a night out in the city.
Additionally, concerns have been raised by Mr Todd and local councillors about the potential for increased costs with the changes.
Mr Todd said that the community council was “trying to get clarification” about how the need to change buses could affect frequent travellers; he noted that the double bus journey would cost an extra £50 per month for commuters if no price cap were in place.
The issue will be discussed at the upcoming Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council meeting on Monday at the village hall.
Already, residents have voiced their eagerness to attend and share their thoughts, Mr Todd said.
Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies, ward councillor for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, stressed that she “understands they have to make commercial decisions” but that the scaling back of services is “just not good enough.”
She said: “Macmerry in particular is being hammered.
“There has to be a balance between the routes that make money and the routes that are needed to give people access to everyday essentials, doctors’ visits and things like that.
“If you're trying to get from Macmerry to Musselburgh, now it's two buses and Musselburgh's where your nearest really big supermarket is.
“So if you're poorer and you want to grab a bargain and, and go to a big supermarket to get cheaper prices, you now have to pay for two buses instead of one.
“It's not been a good decision-making round.”
Meanwhile, Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, said: “I met with Lothian buses this morning about the impact of the new timetable arrangements. I share community concerns about the withdrawal of some services, and the impact this will have on towns like Macmerry.
“I am working closely with Lothian buses to see how new services will replace existing bus routes that have been withdrawn and, in the meantime, encourage communities to contact Lothian buses directly with concerns.
“As ever I'm keen to hear about community concerns, particularly around rural bus services.”
Councillor John McMillan, cabinet spokesperson for environment, economic development and tourism at East Lothian Council, said: “An effective public transport network supports access to education, business, leisure and tourism, and connects East Lothian to the wider area.
"As a commercial operator, East Coast Buses will take account of the county’s changing population and settlements when making its decisions around routes and timetables.
“Elected members are aware of concerns being raised within the community in relation to the changes and will maintain engagement with East Coast Buses to see whether an opportunity exists to address these issues.”
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