Introduction
There is a compelling case for a safe link between Drem railway station and Gullane, free
from the busy and dangerous main B1345 road, to be included in East Lothian Council’s
Local Development Plan. As well as improving safety the path will have a positive impact on
our health and wellbeing and encourage more people to make the switch to greener,
healthier and low-carbon travel choices.
Background
The desire for a safe walking and cycling route between Drem and Gullane was first
identified in December 2005 during early consultations for East Lothian Council’s Core Paths
Plan. A community campaign for a safe route connecting Drem and Gullane has been going
on for nearly 20 years.
Strategic transport connection
It is essential to increase the number of journeys made to Drem railway station by active
modes of travel. A walking, wheeling and cycling connection from Drem to the coastal
villages will help deliver a more integrated, low-carbon transport system.
The path would link to proposed paths planned by Cala Homes as part of its housing
developments in Gullane. It will also be a strategically important addition to an already
extensive network of core paths in East Lothian, such as the John Muir Way
National and local strategic context
The Drem-Gullane path aligns with the objectives of East Lothian Council’s transport
strategy to deliver well-connected communities, and highlights the vital role active travel can
play in improving transport provision across East Lothian.
Transport Scotland’s National Transport Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for Scotland’s
transport system for the next 20 years. The proposed Drem-Gullane path delivers on all of
the strategy’s four priorities: Reduces Inequalities, Takes Climate Action, Helps Deliver
Inclusive Economic Growth and Improves our Health and Wellbeing.
Economic, environmental and health benefits
Studies show that cycling and pedestrian friendly spaces can result in higher retail spend,
supporting local economies. The Drem-Gullane path would generate local economic benefits
by attracting visitors to the area and increasing footfall for businesses. This would be good
news for local shops, pubs and restaurants in the coastal villages.
The health benefits of walking and cycling are irrefutable. According to a report published by
Scotland’s Railways in February 2023, over the next decade active travel to stations is
expected to save the NHS around £80 million treatment costs for diseases related to
inactivity, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia.
The environmental impacts of a walking and cycling route between Drem and Gullane are
equally enormous as it will reduce carbon emissions and help realise national and local net
zero ambitions.
Community and business support
Our campaign has attracted considerable support from residents in the coastal villages, and
the business community: The Old Clubhouse, Spice Pots, Law Cycles, Bonnie Badger, Fidra
Art Gallery, Old Smiddy, Cherish Tearoom, Luffness Mains Farm, Gannon Sports, Cala
Homes.
In the summer of 2024, Gullane Area Community Council – representing the views of
residents in Drem, Gullane, Aberlady and Dirleton - voted unanimously to make delivery of a
safe link between Drem railway station and Gullane a strategic priority.
Parliamentary representatives and national campaign groups have voiced support: Paul
MacLennan MSP; Craig Hoy MSP, Martin Whitfield MSP, Douglas Alexander MP, Alison
Johnstone MSP, Colin Smyth MSP. Ramblers Scotland; Spokes Lothian; We Walk, We
Cycle, We Vote lobby group, UK Cycling, Paths for All, Cycling Scotland, Edinburgh Road
Club.
Scotland’s Railway (Scotrail and Network Rail Scotland) have signalled support for the
Drem-Gullane path, which would align with their Sustainable Travel to Stations strategy,
published in June 2023. It is intended to help make it easy, convenient, and safe for
passengers to get to and from railway stations without a car.
Drem-Gullane path – proposed route
The path would start from Drem railway station and travel from the boundary of the village,
where the B1345 is subject to a 40mph speed limit, for 1.2km alongside the B1345
northwards to the layby by the Peffer Burn. It would then connect to an existing private
access road that runs parallel to the B1345 on the western side linking to existing trails and
quiet roads to the Cala Homes residential development located south of Gullane. From
there, the path would continue to Gullane main street where it would link to the John Muir
Way.
ENDS
Comentários