In an area impacted by multiple energy projects, a community’s aspirations for their place are not just something which can be advanced through community benefits, but something which should be considered at all stages of the lifecycle of the energy developments.

Take active travel for instance. Getting about safely by bike, walking and horse riding in the local countryside, or even being able to walk your kids to school with a push chair in tow are all high on the priority list for the residents of East Lammermuir.

The aspirations for a network of connected paths around the area and linking into Dunbar are set out in the Local Place Plan (LPP). Crossing the A1 to link up with the National Cycle Network along the coast is not straight forward, and possible options for a bridge or underpass to facilitate this are set out in the LPP. Walk Wheel Cycle Trust are finalising some feasibility work on these options as I write, and we hope to have the report from this available to share soon.

Taking this forward will require coordination and a lot of funding. We are fortunate to have access to significant community benefits as a result of hosting the energy infrastructure, which can contribute towards this, starting with the recruitment of a Community Development Officer to coordinate delivery of the community ambitions (again watch out for an announcement on this soon!).

But the construction of energy projects also impacts on active travel, with the intersections between access paths or previously quiet country roads and construction works becoming hot spots for potential issues. Much can be done to minimise these impacts through planning conditions, especially if the discharge of these involves liaising with the community to identify well used routes and design solutions that work for local residents.

In East Lammermuir the Community Traffic and Travel Forum is a group of residents which discuss these kinds of issues and propose solutions to the developers and transmission owners, many of which have been implemented. If you live locally and are concerned about the impacts of the energy developments on roads, active travel and access, you can reach out to beth@elep.scot to get involved. 

But what happens if issues arise during construction? Earlier this year, a well used public right of way was blocked by a contractor, which meant that commuting from Innerwick into Dunbar by bike required a long detour. Some reluctantly chose to take the car instead, but not everyone has that option. The path was closed due to concerns for the safety of path users, with construction traffic crossing the path regularly. The Community Traffic and Travel Forum proposed that a banks person (a person directing traffic) be brought in and eventually, with support from the Council’s Access Officer and a community champion within the project, this was achieved and now the path has reopened! The picture below features the banks person with local cyclist and Chair of East Lammermuir Community Council Chris Bruce.

What can be learned from this for other areas or energy projects at earlier stages in East Lammermuir? Early engagement with the community is essential to understand what is important to them about their places and to minimise the impacts of construction. And, for Local Planning Authorities – always involve the Access Officer in reviewing applications!