Johnnie Cope's Road

Council officers recommended the closure of the Johnnie Cope Road in 2023 on the grounds of safety as the road was never intended to take the volume and type of traffic currently using it. The proposal was to close it to vehicular traffic and redetermine it as an active and sustainable access route for walkers, cyclists, and equine.

In June 2023 elected members asked Council officers to review intervention plans to develop a report around the design, specification, and cost of keeping the road open to vehicle traffic.

Work has continued on that basis but to date no progress has been made on how to make the road safe, specifically with regards to the bridge and the road alignment in relation to sight lines.

As a result, it is not possible at present to secure a capital investment of the level required to upgrade the road.

The Johnnie Cope Road remains open. It will continue to do so until officers are able to return to Council to enable members to take a decision on its long-term future.

Map showing the location of Johnnie Cope's Road

Johnnie Cope's Road connects Tranent to Prestonpans Station