Plans to build a new link road to divert traffic from two coastal communities have been lodged by East Lothian Council.
The new Cockenzie Link Road will be used by traffic heading to new substations planned for a former power station site as well as future business developments on the surrounding land.
It will be built through a former coal store site connected to the former Cockenzie Power Station and include a lane for pedestrians and cyclists to use.
READ MORE: East Lothian councillors to rule on 'big shed' plans for former power station site
A planning application for the new roadway has been lodged with the local authorities planners.
It shows a roundabout at the west of Alder Road, Cockenzie, which provides access to housing in the village and the A1 replaced with a new junction and the link road being built from there through the disused coal plant. It will then follow the route of a service road within the coal store site before coming onto the main coast road across from the west entrance to the former power station site.
The council said: "Ultimately the proposed road would link the existing Alder Road roundabout on the B6371 approach to Cockenzie with the existing B1348 road – almost opposite the western entrance to the main part of the former power station site.
"New signalised junctions would be created at each end of the road.
"It would be complemented by a lane, largely set back from the main roadway, to encourage safe walking and cycling and help improve connections between Cockenzie and Port Seton and Prestonpans. It is expected that most mature trees will remain in place along the route."
The new link road will help divert traffic for the power station site, which is owned by the local authority and being marketed as a potential business/industrial area, away from surround communities of Prestonpans and Cockenzie and Port Seton.
To date the council has granted planning permission for two substations on the site, however it has plans to develop land surrounding them with a potential to create up to 3,000 jobs identified in local plans.
A report on behalf of the council into the proposals says it is clear investment in the surrounding roads is needed.
It says: "The transport network and infrastructure capacity in Cockenzie is
currently constrained and substantial investment is required to deliver committed and other future developments.
"Whilst some new infrastructure provision is encouraged, preference is for more viable and sustainable options which make the best use of existing infrastructure.
"This will clearly and sustainably be achieved through the delivery of the proposed development."
The plans are available to view at East Lothian Council's planning portal.
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