Changes in Musselburgh High Street to improve traffic flow
Work will shortly start to relocate bus stops on Musselburgh High Street in a bid to alleviate congestion and reduce journey times.
East Lothian Council’s Head of Infrastructure, Tom Reid, said: “Musselburgh High Street is recognised as one of the county’s busiest thoroughfares and local residents using the bus services have expressed frustration that buses can be held up at peak times. The new measures, funded by the Scottish Government, are temporary for an 18 month period and traffic flow including the times of bus journeys will be monitored to assess the impact of the changes. The proposals are fully supported by the bus companies and it is hoped that the reduced congestion will provide greater reliability of services.”
Congestion can occur on Musselburgh High Street when one bus has to wait in the carriageway while another is loading up with passengers so traffic is unable to pass. Relocation and the introduction of additional bus stops will increase options for passengers and a bus lane will be introduced to deter double-parking on the approach to the Police Station bus stop and will leave sufficient room for vehicles to pass stationary buses.
A number of parking spaces will need to be removed and the blue badge parking space will be relocated across the road but the existing Taxi Rank will be unaffected by the changes.
Ian Bieniowski, Network Performance Manager, Lothian said: “Lothian Buses remains committed to supporting local communities and we welcome the changes to bus stop arrangements on Musselburgh High Street. The additional stops will improve access for buses at this busy location, reducing journey times for customers, while also reducing traffic congestion in the town centre.”
The works are scheduled to take place early in April.