LARGE vehicles are diverting through a rural village after a section of a nearby main road was destroyed following thunderstorms.

Residents of Humbie are concerned about the increase in traffic after a section of the A68, near Fala, was washed away earlier this month.

The section of road, which links Edinburgh to the Scottish Borders, is likely to be closed for a number of weeks, with hopes it could reopen in early September.

In the meantime, Humbie residents have called on East Lothian Council to do something to tackle the volume of traffic now passing through the village.

Al Beck, treasurer of Humbie, East and West Saltoun, and Bolton Community Council, told the Courier the level of commercial traffic passing through Humbie in an hour was comparable to that previously passing through the village in a day.

He said: “Signposted diversions have little effect, as satnav systems indicate a shorter route via Humbie.

“East Lothian Council proposed some speed reduction measures to Amey/BEAR, but have put no timescale on their implementation.

“These measures were devised without community consultation (as were the now-withdrawn parking restrictions in Haddington) and ignore several of the major danger points, including that between the Humbie Hub and the war memorial, where the road is too narrow to allow two lorries to pass in opposite directions.

“Despite the vast increase in traffic, East Lothian Council has rejected a temporary reduction in the current 40 miles per hour speed limit through Humbie.

“Humbie remains one of the few villages with such a limit in East Lothian, despite prolonged pressure for a reduction from the community.”

Community councillors have also spoken to ward councillors about the issue.

Councillor Craig Hoy, of the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, was keen to see the speed limit through the village temporarily reduced to 20mph.

He said: “We need to look at whether the diversion put in place will actually be followed.”

The issue is complicated by the fact the area affected falls under both East Lothian and Midlothian Councils.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council confirmed that discussions were taking place with Amey/BEAR, Transport Scotland and Police Scotland, while notice of the diversion is also being shared with haulage firms.

She said: “BEAR is responsible for managing trunk roads and the A68 on behalf of Transport Scotland.

“We have been working with BEAR to put in place some additional traffic management measures to deal with the increase in traffic on our local roads.

“This includes a priority system within Humbie village, temporary traffic signals at Keith Bridge and additional signage advising of potential delays on B6371.

“We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures and will look at other actions if necessary.

“BEAR has confirmed it will start implementing these changes.

“We will continue to press for all necessary measures to be introduced quickly.

“The situation and impact on our roads, as well as those in neighbouring authority areas, is being kept under careful review.

“Transport Scotland and BEAR will undertake a full assessment of the damage to the section of road at A68 at Fala.

“We expect to receive an update on their programme for remedial works once this has been completed.”

Barriers and fencing have been placed around the damaged section of road, which is currently closed in both directions. Investigations and testing are under way to find out the full extent of the damage.

Joanne Turner, Amey’s principal civil engineer with the South East Trunk Roads Unit, said: “Geotechnical investigations into the extent of the damage and the necessary repair are ongoing, and further updates will be provided by Transport Scotland and the relevant operating company.”