Refreshed Local Transport Strategy 2026-30 approved

A refreshed Local Transport Strategy to provide the vision and priorities for the county's transport network over the next four years was approved by Cabinet.

Our Local Transport Strategy (LTS) 2026-2030 is aimed at responding to significant challenges including East Lothian’s growing population, the Climate Change emergency, and ongoing financial constraints.

The LTS sets out an overarching framework for a greener, more affordable and better-connected transport system to serve the needs of residents, visitors and businesses.

Strongly aligned with Scotland’s National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2), the LTS is built around the national priorities of reducing inequalities, taking climate action, delivering inclusive economic growth and improving health and wellbeing.

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the LTS at their meeting on 8 September.

The meeting heard a report on the LTS and its commitment to the provision of cleaner and safer travel options. This would be achieved by encouraging more walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys while boosting public transport connectivity and ensuring the road network remains well maintained and resilient.

Sustainable transport

Other key priorities include expanding the active travel infrastructure, enhancing the accessibility and reliability of bus services, and promoting journey hubs that connect different modes of transport.

The refreshed LTS builds on progress made since the introduction of the previous Local Transport Strategy in 2018. This includes the opening of the new railway station at East Linton, major investments in active travel routes and the introduction of parking management schemes.

Cabinet noted that the implementation of the LTS will depend on the availability of both council resources and external funding opportunities, including financial support from Transport Scotland, South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), and developer contributions.

Future projects will be supported through a range of our programmes, including the Active Travel Improvement Plan, the Road Asset Management Plan, the Road Safety Plan and the Parking Management Strategy.

Performance will be assessed through strategic outcomes centred on improving accessibility, raising the use of sustainable transport, supporting economic development, and fostering healthier communities.

Detection dogs sniff out 20,000 counterfeit cigarettes

Our Trading Standards officers, accompanied by Police Scotland and specialist tobacco detection dogs, seized more than 20,000 illicit cigarettes during a recent operation.

Enforcement visits were made to two shops in the Musselburgh and Tranent areas as part of the crackdown.

Officers seized more than 20,000 cigarettes along with around 100 packs of hand rolling tobacco believed to be intended for illegal sale.

The visits formed part of Operation CECE Scotland, a UK-wide initiative involving Trading Standards services and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) aimed at tackling the sale of illicit tobacco products at retail level.

The specially trained tobacco detection dogs, Boo and Rosie (pictured below) played a key role in locating hidden tobacco products during the inspections.

Illicit tobacco can take various forms, including counterfeit versions of well-known brands, genuine tobacco products smuggled into the UK without the payment of duty and so-called "cheap whites" which are products manufactured for the black market and illegally imported into the country.

All cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco legally sold in the UK must be supplied in standardised packaging featuring both written and pictorial health warnings, with all packaging text appearing in English.

Trading Standards officers can report criminal offences to the Procurator Fiscal for prosecution. Where tobacco products are found not to comply with relevant legislation, evidence may be referred to HMRC which can consider the imposition of a civil penalty. For a first breach, the maximum civil sanction available is £10,000.

Work starts on new council housing in Wallyford

Construction has begun on a development of 36 brand new council homes in Wallyford, next to the Learning Campus. 

Built on our behalf by McTaggart Construction, the homes, which will join our housing stock for social rent, are a mix of two, three and four bedroom terraced and semi-detached properties. 

The development is costing just over £7.5 million, with just over £3million in funding from us and the remainder from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

The site is part of the greater Wallyford development, which has seen several new housing developments and the new Learning Campus completed in the last few years.

Completion is expected in early 2028.

 

Still time to complete our new workforce travel survey

A reminder that we're running a new workforce travel survey to help colleagues find the fastest, most affordable and sustainable way to reach work.

The survey, now in its third year, also provides vital data to assist us in planning for our workforce at individual sites and measuring our environmental impact.

This year the survey will run until Wednesday, 14 October.

We are once again partnering with local firm Calcommuter, which provides an individual travel plan for all staff who complete the survey and energy saving tips for those working from home.

We will survey the same 12 key work sites we did last year for consistency. Even if you’ve taken the survey previously, we recommend you do so again to check for updated bus and train timetables.

The survey providing a free travel plan takes only takes five minutes to complete. Please scan the QR code below or visit: https://link.calcommuter.co.uk/ELC

The work sites being surveyed are:

• Dunbar Grammar School
• John Muir House
• Kinwegar Waste Services Depot
• Knox Academy & Meadowpark CP Unit
• Musselburgh Grammar School
• North Berwick High School
• Penston House
• Preston Lodge High School
• Ross High School & The Brae
• Wallyford Primary School & Nursery
• Wallyford Learning Campus (e.g. Rosehill High School / The Brae / Community Centre)
• Windygoul Primary School

What will you receive? 

• a free personalised travel plan: Your suggested route to work is unique for your commute, and could save you time and money
• advice and tips on home working: Review our council’s home working policies to ensure you’re working optimally and receiving adequate support
• reduce your carbon footprint: The survey will identify if there is a more sustainable way for you to get to work, such as public transport or cycling. Taking a sustainable commute, even occasionally, can help reduce East Lothian’s emissions and support our council’s climate change goals

How will we use the data?

We use this data to report on greenhouse gas emissions from our staff commuting to work. It’s important we take responsibility for our colleagues’ travel arrangements as we look to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

We will also carry out analysis on travel times and viable alternatives for colleagues to inform our Staff Travel Plan and Local Transport Strategy.

Answering the survey helps us plan for our workforce and target support at work sites where staff commute often or from further afield.

Join in! New singing, acting and music groups launched

New singing, acting and music groups are being launched at The Brunton at Corn Exchange in Haddington - and you can get involved.

The groups will provide the chance to take part in a fun and creative activity which sparks your imagination and helps you develop valuable skills.

Joining a group can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing by building self-confidence, making new friends, and reducing social isolation and stress.

The groups being launched are:

The Brunton Players - an acting group is for anyone aged over 18 with little or no previous acting experience required. Led by a professional actor, you’ll discover improv, bring characters to life, experiment with movement, explore scripts and develop new skills.

The Brunton Showstoppers Choir - a fun, feel-good group led by an experienced choir director where everyone is welcome. No need to read music, just bring your voice! For ages 16 plus.

The Brunton Community Orchestra is for all ages and instruments (around Grade 5+ recommended), whether you are actively playing or haven’t played in a while. The emphasis is on enjoying music together in a relaxed, supportive space.

If any of these opportunities interest you, please email bpan@eastlothian.gov.uk to receive more information.

Service teams recognised at APSE awards

Three of our service areas were honoured at this year’s APSE Service awards which recognises outstanding work in local authorities across the UK.

The awards ceremony, which took place last month at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, celebrated excellence in frontline service delivery.

Our council was a finalist in the Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative category, the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) and Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) categories.

Although our finalists lost out to some worthy winners on the night, the awards honoured the amazing contribution of many colleagues.

Wendy Hood, Operational Manager with Amenity Services, attended the ceremony and collected the finalist’s certificate for Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) on behalf of the Bereavement Team.

Since January 2024, the team has transformed our burial and bereavement services into a modern, digitally-led operation that puts families first at the most difficult times. They are currently carrying out a dedicated headstone health and safety inspection programme across East Lothian.

Jennifer Lothian, Strategy, Policy & Development Manager in Amenity Services, collected the finalists’ certificate for Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative on behalf of the East Lothian Climate Forest project and lead officer Sarah Cheyne, Senior Projects Officer – Landscape.

One of Scotland's first Climate Forests, the ambitious programme aims to plant two million trees across the county by 2031 through a partnership involving landowners, developers, communities and our council. More than 247,000 trees have already been planted, guided by our Tree and Woodland Strategy.

Excellent frontline services

Mike Foy, Team Manager with Amenity Services, collected the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) finalists’ certificate on behalf of Fleet Services.

Fleet Services was honoured for delivering a major expansion of in-house Additional Support Needs (ASN) transport in response to rising demand, taxi market failure and climate pressures. Investment in wheelchair accessible buses, workforce growth and modern apprenticeships now provides safer, more inclusive, lower carbon transport for more than 40 additional ASN pupils.

Mo Baines, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Chief Executive, said: “In local authorities across the UK, frontline service teams continue to work tirelessly to make a positive impact on their communities and improve the lives of residents.  

“APSE is proud to shine a light on the councils who are delivering excellent frontline services and celebrate them through our Annual Service Awards.”

Infrastructure project wins Scottish Civil Engineering Award

The creation of a new bridge and diversionary road replacing the Markle Level Crossing near East Linton scooped a top prize at this year’s Scottish Civil Engineering Awards.

Our council and infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty collected the accolade in the Rail Infrastructure Project category.

The awards are widely recognised as the highest honour for engineering excellence in the built environment in Scotland.

We acted as project managers for the works which were undertaken by Balfour Beatty.

Our Project Manager in Growth and Sustainability Peter Forsyth, who led its delivery, and Glen Henderson, Project Manager for Balfour Beatty, were presented with the award at a ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last month.

The works, which were fully funded by Transport Scotland, saw the construction of a single-span bridge to replace the level crossing along with the construction of a 1km diversionary road at Markle Steading.

Markle Level Crossing had been one of only two remaining level crossings on Scotland’s East Coast Main Line. Its closure removed the risk to road users and the national rail network.

The new bridge benefitted pedestrians and road traffic by removing delays caused by lowered level crossing barriers when trains are approaching.

The project incorporated 70,000 tonnes of locally sourced materials and delivered a shared-use path providing safe access for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users.

A sustainable drainage system, including three attenuation ponds, was introduced to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk, alongside landscaping that enhanced biodiversity and integrated the structure into its rural setting.

Quality of life

At the awards, the project was praised for “demonstrating how civil engineering can improve safety, connectivity and the quality of life for local communities”.

Peter said: “This was an excellent example of a ‘Team Scotland’ delivery model, with the council working closely in partnership with Transport Scotland, Network Rail and Balfour Beatty.

“Within the council, this complex construction project was supported across our services, including Procurement, Legal, Planning, Roads and Estates.

“We’re pleased the award recognised the benefits brought to the community which was our key focus throughout the project.”

Copying from external publications

Copyright

Our council holds a licence from the Copyright Licensing Agency. This permits employees to make paper or digital copies of content from most books, magazines, journals and periodicals and digital publications.

Newspapers

Colleagues are reminded that our council no longer holds a licence from the Newspaper Licensing Agency. This previously permitted employees to make occasional copies from newspaper publications for internal management purposes. As a result employees must ensure they do not:

• circulate newspaper or magazine articles or extracts internally, via email
• copy or save articles onto internal computer drives
• photocopy or scan articles
• digitally copy articles from a newspaper or magazine website
• print content from a newspaper or magazine website
• print or copy content from a media monitoring service or PR agency
• provide any newspaper or magazine content to external contacts
• place copies of any articles on a corporate website or social media pages

You can still view or share links electronically to online news websites. Many news stories about the council or of interest to employees are now published in this way.

Thank you for your support.