Johnnie Cope's Road
Johnnie Cope’s Road was originally to have been closed as a through route for motorised traffic when the A1 Tranent bypass opened in 1986, but kept open for walkers and cyclists. To this end, a bridge was provided by the Scottish Executive (now Transport Scotland) where it crosses the A1 and "no through road except cycles" signs were sited at both the Tranent and Prestonpans. However, the closure was not legally effective as the then Roads Authority, Lothian Regional Council, never completed the legal Order necessary to authorise it. The error was discovered by East Lothian Council some years ago and in January 2020 Councillors approved the start of the legal process to put things right and authorise the closure to through traffic of the ex-B1349. However, Covid intervened, and this is only now being progressed.
The design of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will allow for emergency services access, and limited access to farmland and properties, and there will be opportunity to comment on the proposals. Interested parties can sign up on Tellme Scotland to be alerted when the consultation is live, likely to be early in 2023. It will also be advertised in the local press, and people can contact us directly to provide comments. All comments will be duly considered before the TRO can be made operational and the scheme implemented on site.
Johnnie Cope's Road connects Tranent to Prestonpans Station