A KEY North Berwick transport route should soon be re-open to traffic and pedestrians.

The bridge over the railway line at Ware Road - where traffic lights are to be installed - has been closed for several days to allow project excavation work to take place.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson told the Courier that the first phase of the bridge works, which has led to its closure, was due to be completed today (Friday). 

"To allow the work to be undertaken safely, the bridge has been closed to traffic and pedestrians, with advisory signs in place," said the spokesperson.

"It is hoped that the first phase, which involved excavation work and the installation of ducting for the traffic signals, will be completed today."

The second phase of the works - the installation of the traffic lights - will then start and is expected to take a few days.

"The bridge will be open during this [second phase] work with traffic management in place," added the spokesperson.

The bridge is a key route to school for children and used regularly by motorists as it is the only crossing over the railway line in North Berwick.

But its narrowness has led to pedestrian safety concerns as it does not have a raised pavement.

East Lothian Council told the Courier last month that the introduction of "controlled traffic signals" would aid "safer crossing opportunities for pedestrians" - though fears have been raised that the lights will cause a backlog of traffic on Ware Road itself and Old Abbey Road.