THE Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) announcement that its Tranent branch, the last bank in the town, will close in July is a significant blow for local customers, businesses, community groups and the high street.

If this branch goes, it will leave the whole of the Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, and Preston Seton Gosford wards without a single bank between them.

I do not believe the reasons for closing the branch stack up. I was the chair of Prestonpans Community Council when the RBS closed its branch there in 2016. At that time, RBS used the proximity of the Tranent and Musselburgh branches as part of its rationale for closure.

Now the bank is claiming the number of people using the Tranent branch has fallen significantly. But the figures it cites are from the pandemic, when the number of people physically accessing the branch was bound to be lower than normal.

Unfortunately, despite the widespread anger at the proposed closure, which has seen hundreds of people sign my petition opposing it, the decision remains a commercial one for RBS alone.

However, the strength of feeling highlights the importance of retaining access to cash and banking services in Tranent and Prestonpans, as well as surrounding villages. I will continue working with local communities and colleagues to explore all options for keeping banking services in these areas.

If you oppose the closure, please sign my petition at tinyurl.com/2p9u5pt3

Elsewhere, the dramatic events continued last week with the intensification of Police Scotland’s investigation into the SNP’s finances.

This affair has highlighted a culture of secrecy and cover-up that for too long has been allowed to fester.

It is time for a return to a more open and transparent approach to politics in Scotland to help rebuild public trust and confidence.