• Overnight lane and road closures from 9 January to 30 March 2023

• Safety improvements for five bridges spanning A1 in East Lothian

Safety barriers protecting the piers of five bridges spanning the A1 in East Lothian are to be upgraded under a series of overnight lane and road closures, beginning on Monday 9 January 2023.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will carry out the works in three phases over 16 weeks.

Phase 1 – Ayton Castle overbridge:

• From 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 9 to 24 January, the A1 will be restricted to a single lane with temporary traffic lights where it passes under the B6355 bridge near Ayton.

Phase 2 – Johnny Cope’s Road and Dolphingstone overbridges:

• From 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 24 January to 3 March, the A1 will be restricted to a single lane in both directions between Dolphingstone Junction and Bankton Junction.
• This stretch of the A1 will then be fully closed in both directions from 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 7 to 9 February and 12 to 14 February, with a signed diversion route in place through Tranent via Church St and the A199 Edinburgh Road. This diversion will add an estimated 2.4 miles and 5 minutes to affected journeys.

Phase 3 – Salters Road and Carberry Road overbridges:

• From 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 5 March to 31 March, the A1 will be restricted to a single lane in both directions between Old Craighall Junction and Wallyford Junction.
• This stretch of the A1 will then be fully closed in both directions from 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 20 to 22 March, with a signed diversion route in place via the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass, Millerhill Junction, the A68 and the A6094 Salters Road. This diversion will add an estimated 4.2 miles and 7 minutes to affected journeys.

Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “These pier protection upgrades are required to safeguard road users and maintain the integrity of the overbridges on this stretch of the A1.

“The works will bring the barriers up to modern standards and increase road safety.

“Lane and road closures are essential for the safety of road users and our operatives, however we’ve arranged for the works to take place overnight to minimise the impact.

“We thank the travelling public in advance for their patience and understanding.”

Consultation has taken place in advance of these works with all relevant stakeholders including local authorities and Police Scotland.

Live traffic information is available from the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot and on Twitter at @trafficscotland.