Revealed: ambitious plan could see East Lothian become a key cross-border destination

A high-speed rail link, new stations and a port terminal are among the ambitious proposals to make East Lothian a key cross-border destination in the future.
The former Cockenzie Power Station is key to the planThe former Cockenzie Power Station is key to the plan
The former Cockenzie Power Station is key to the plan

The potential to turn the county into a vibrant economic area is outlined in East Lothian Council’s response to a UK Government consultation on union connectivity.

In its response, the council points to the existing East Coast Main Line, which links the county to Newcastle, as an area which could be enhanced to improve links.

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And it puts forward the potential for the former Cockenzie Power Station site to become a port terminal.

In its response, the council says: “We see an opportunity in the redevelopment of the former Cockenzie Power Station site, the delivery of the [new town at] Blindwells and Edinburgh Innovation Park at Musselburgh to create a new nationally significant destination and attractor that could deliver significant investment, including inward investment, opportunities, enterprise and employment in construction and operational phases.

“The strategic location of these sites, being adjacent to strategic cross-border transport corridors, could deliver large-scale development sites in the south east of Scotland that are well connected to cities and regions in the north of England and beyond.

“Strategic improvements to transport infrastructure here could bring these sites and the wider south east of Scotland region within an hour’s travel time of the Newcastle city region.

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“There are opportunities to consider the former power station site for maritime transport and off-site sustainable manufacturing and construction,such as for homes or infrastructure, including on-shore and off-shore low and zero carbon projects, with its rail head and jetty to the Firth of Forth.”

The council also points to the possibility of a new train station at Blindwells which could provide high speed rail links and dualling the A1 south of Dunbar to speed up travel time between the north of England and East Lothian.

It described the review of connectivity as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to support growth in the Edinburgh region and “reinvigorate the regional economy” by improving transport links across the border.

However, it also warns that sustainable transport must be given precedent as well, as the council looks to meet its zero-carbon commitments.

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East Lothian Council carried out a technical report into the potential for cruise or port services at the former power station site at Cockenzie, which it owns.

The report presented to councillors over the summer suggested that a terminal could be created for between £50m and £100m.

Further investigation is currently being sought through the Scottish government.

In the response to the UK Government consultation, the council points to its potential to support economic growth in the area.

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It says: “Preferred land use options for this site [Cockenzie] are being explored with a focus on employment and energy, with potential for maritime transport port or cruise so these uses would require significant access and multi-modal connectivity to markets in the Central Belt and down the east coast to England.

“Existing infrastructure exists but is limited by capacity and capability to allow business to flourish at the rate of change aspired.”

The report by the council will be included in the UK Government review.

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