Town and area studies

East Lothian Council (ELC) appointed Stantec in 2019 to develop design options to make it easier to walk and cycle around the Belhaven area in a safer and more inclusive way.

Their report, Safer Active Travel: Back Road, Dunbar (2019) | East Lothian Council, identified specific locations where there was a desire for improvements to junctions, pavements, and active travel access.

ELC have since commissioned Stantec to explore the options further, and work through a series of proposals for each location to arrive at a preferred design.

Overview of proposed projects in Belhaven

The extensive community engagement exercise over the autumn of 2024 included a six-week online survey, a workshop with Community Council representatives and local Councillors, and two drop-in sessions – one for identified stakeholders and one for the general public. All comments from all engagement sources were pulled together and analysed.

View the report

As a result, we now intend to:

• Seek funding to signalise the junction of Beveridge Row / Edinburgh Road / Shore Road
• Conduct a trial restricting Back Road between Winterfield Place and Winterfield Golf Club to non-motorised vehicles only
• Finalise designs for Shore Road path to incorporate feedback received, and apply for Planning Permission on this basis
• Apply for Planning Permission for agreed improvements at Shore Road Car Park entrance, and seek funding to implement this
• Consult further on restricting beachfront parking at Belhaven to Blue Badge holders only
• Undertake further design work to change alignment of crossing at Duke Street / Brewery Lane, and seek funding for further consultation and subsequent implementation

The above process will take several years of design and engagement, and we would encourage people with an interest in the area to keep an eye on local media for updates and opportunities to refine the proposals.