Demolition work on the concrete structures at the former coal store site in Cockenzie is set to commence today, Monday, 30 June 2025.

This phase, part of the wider Cockenzie enabling works, is anticipated to last for 20 weeks. While some noise is inevitable, strict time limits and mitigation measures will be in place to minimise disruption for local residents.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council Spokesperson for Economic Development, praised the project's progress: "It is a real achievement that this huge project to prepare the site for future employment use is running on schedule and we appreciate the understanding and patience of the local community. We have been keeping the neighbouring community councils informed every step of the way and Balfour Beatty has issued regular newsletters to those living alongside the site, as well as keeping a wonderful photographic record as the work progresses. It’s been really interesting to see these structures emerge, that have been hidden from view for a number of years, revealing a huge part of East Lothian’s industrial history."

The demolition will target three main structures on the old coal store site, located opposite the former power station and adjacent to the B6371 'coal road'. These include the former rail bridge (which allowed road traffic underneath to access the coal store’s interior), the supporting concrete wall where the wagon discharge building once stood (where coal was emptied from rail wagons), and the coal conveyor structures that were previously buried within the northeastern bund and have recently become visible following material removal.

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Rhodar, a subcontractor to Balfour Beatty, who manages the overall enabling works, will carry out the concrete demolition. Work will begin at the south of the site and proceed northward. The structures closest to the north are scheduled for demolition from August onwards, when daily noise may become more noticeable to residents of Alder Road.

To mitigate noise impact, it has been agreed with the contractor that while work is permitted on site from 07:00, no demolition machinery will begin operation until 08:00. The latest finish time will be 18:00, with no planned weekend working. Dust and noise monitoring will be conducted daily, and regular dampening down will minimise dust spread. No roadworks or traffic management are required for this demolition phase.

The entire Cockenzie enabling works project remains on schedule for a December 2025 completion. This includes the construction of a new link road, connecting the Alder Road junction on the B6371 approach to Cockenzie with the existing B1348 road. Much of this route will follow an existing service road, complemented by a separate lane to encourage safe walking and cycling. Utility diversions at the Alder Road roundabout have already commenced.

The overarching goal of the Cockenzie enabling works is to prepare the brownfield site for future economic development. Phase One, which involved transferring 175,000 cubic metres of earth (equivalent to 1,750 double-decker buses) from bunds around the coal store to infill a void in the power station site, began in September 2024 and was completed a month ahead of schedule in March this year. Phase Two involves the construction of the new link road, while the imminent concrete demolition constitutes Phase Three. The enabling works are 90% funded by the UK Government and 10% by East Lothian Council, with the link road being 100% funded by East Lothian Council.