B1348
B1348 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Musselburgh (NT360728) | |||
To: | Longniddry (NT441771) | |||
Via: | Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton | |||
Distance: | 5.9 miles (9.5 km) | |||
Meets: | A199, B6454, B1349, B6371, A198 | |||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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The B1348 enjoys a scenic run along the East Lothian coastline between Musselburgh and Longniddry.
The route starts in Musselburgh at the Levenhall Roundabout, shared with the A199 and B6454, which lies at the southeastern extremity of the famous racecourse. It sets off in a north-easterly direction along Ravensheugh Road and is soon crossing green spaces. Woodland climbs up to fields on the right, while to the left a large area of parkland stretches out to the coast. This is land reclaimed by dumping ash from the power station further along the coast. The Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum and the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, are then passed in the short green gap to Prestonpans, with views to the left across the Firth of Forth. The route enters town at the western end of the High Street, although at first there are just post war houses on either side. After the first few businesses are passed, gaps in the buildings on the left reveal that the shore is just a short walk away, indeed briefly even closer as the road runs along the sea wall.
Shops are strung along the High Street for some considerable distance, interrupted by houses and blocks of flats. Every now and then, a gap in the buildings offers a view out across the Forth, but there is no promenade along the shore, and even the coast path has to meander back and forth between rear access lanes and the High Street itself. The short B1349 turns right and crosses town to meet the B1361 near the station, but the B1348 stays close to the shore on High Street. Eventually, shortly after passing a supermarket, the edge of town is reached, and High Street becomes Edinburgh Road as it crosses between low grassy hills - perhaps reclaimed dunes. A large grey monolithic building on the right is the Cockenzie Sub Station, a lasting reminder that the Cockenzie Power Station, an old coal plant closed for environmental reasons used to stand opposite on the shore. It was demolished in 2015, and the site is earmarked for redevelopment. Previously this stark piece of 1960s architecture was visible for miles around - even Edinburgh on a good day - and dominated the skyline with its twin cooling towers and supporting structures including a gantry carrying coal across the road.
As the route enters Cockenzie, now twinned with Port Seton, the scenic harbour can be seen off to the left, but soon Edinburgh Road is lined on both sides by older housing, mostly in terraces. The B6371 turns off to the right, at the start of its long meandering journey south, with a large park spreading out next to the junction. The long straight road ahead leads into the town centre, somewhat further inland than it was in Prestonpans. There is a mixture of older stone housing and interwar infill estates along Gosford Road, and then a small area of shops at the Port Seton end of the town. Links Road leads through a smaller area of housing, and then suddenly a narrow strip of grass is all that separates the road from the beach. Modern houses on the right have been laid out to make the most of the views, with wide lawns and vehicular access at the rear. A short run of houses on the shore side then stand at the edge of town.
Just beyond Port Seton, the sizeable Seton Sands holiday park lie to the right and welcome a lot of summer traffic to the area. Beyond the park the Longniddry Golf Course lies on the landward side of the road, separating Longniddry itself from the shore, and the route itself becomes somewhat windier as it cuts through the dunes. This section of the route doesn't feel at all coastal, with dense undergrowth on either side of the road hiding the views. Large car parks are provided on the shore side of the road, with easy access to the beach, but even so double yellow lines are needed to control parking. The bushes suddenly peel back to reveal the Forth once more, but from here it is just a short run to the end of the route. The terminal junction is a TOTSO for the A198, with the coastal road maintaining priority while the A road turns inland to Longniddry.