DUNBAR NCN REALIGNMENT
LOCATION : DUNBAR, SCOTLAND
DATE : 2025
PROJECT TYPE : ACTIVE TRAVEL
COLLABORATION : ETHOS CONSULTANTS
PHASE OF WORK : CONCEPT DESIGN (RIBA STAGE 2)
Iglu were appointed to develop concept designs for the realignment of the National Cycle Network 76 in Dunbar, East Lothian. The current route skirts the edge of the town to the north and encompasses the busy High Street where spatial constraints and other users limit the cycling experience. The proposals seek to improve safety and comfort for users of all abilities by increasing path widths on existing pedestrian and cycle routes running through quieter parts of the town.
DUNBAR NCN REALIGNMENT OVERVIEW
The existing NCN route currently passes Black Road, North Road, Bayswell Road and the High Street with on-road provision only. While residential roads such as Black Road, North Road and Bayswell Road provide relatively low vehicular traffic the High Street is a busy thoroughfare, with cars, buses and pedestrians all taking space.
In addition, the current provision along this stretch is all on-road, often without a dedicated cycle lane, and while this may not impact experienced cyclists, many younger cyclists and people with mobility limitations are excluded. The intention of the NCN realignment is to provide a significant upgrade to the network by creating more segregated and shared use cycle lanes.
By reducing the width of carriageways through the selective removal of existing superfluous central reservations we were able to maximise the width of pedestrian and cycle routes where constrained by existing buildings. The Shared Use example highlights this situation where the carriageway was reduced and the footway was extended to 3.5m for shared use with cyclists. Placing planters and benches at strategic locations near front gate access to houses reduces the risk of any collisions. The ultimate ambition of the realignment was to provide as many segregated cycle lanes as possible, and this would be achievable for long stretches of the A1087/Edinburgh Road, where grassy verges and agricultural fields could be utilised for traffic-free and segregation from pedestrians.
DUNBAR NCN REALIGNMENT VISUALS LOCATION MAP
PROPOSED GATEWAY FEATURE TO EDINBURGH ROAD EAST ENTRANCE
PROPOSED CROSSING IMPROVEMENT AT COUNTESS ROAD
The Concept Design proposals included the upgrading of gateways into Dunbar (see visualisation 1), traffic improvements along Countess Road (see visualisation 3), a new pedestrian pathway adjacent to the existing allotments at the back of Belhaven Hospital (see visualisation 2) and providing clearer road markings and designated cycle lanes at current pinchpoints (see visualisations 4 and 5). The proposals were submitted to East Lothian Council with the intention of supporting their funding applications to Transport Scotland.