FOUR-WAY traffic lights could replace a roundabout at one of Dunbar’s busiest roads.

Ambitious plans to develop land to the rear of the town’s Asda store are in the pipeline, with a variety of retail, office, leisure, distribution and residential opportunities.

A planning application, which will give more detail on the future of the more-than-50-acre site, is expected to be with East Lothian Council shortly after its summer recess.

The development of the site will bring an increase in traffic, with the council looking at what can be done to ensure that busy Spott Road can cope.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the town on the local authority, said that one option being considered was introducing four-way traffic lights in place of the the roundabout which connects Spott Road and Kellie Road (see image).

He said: “If the application comes in for the expansion of what is already at Spott Road, with Asda, the garden centre and other businesses, it is going to greatly increase the traffic trying to access that point.”

Mr Hampshire said that a change to traffic lights would likely make it easier for people trying to make their way to and from the site and hopefully make it safer too.

At the same time, the existing roundabout has been damaged in the past by larger vehicles trying to negotiate it.

It is hoped that any redesign of the road network will be sufficient to not only accommodate existing plans for the land to the rear of the supermarket but also any potential for further development.

Suggestions have previously been made that the development, which is being proposed by Hallhill Developments Ltd, could include “a low-cost supermarket”, as well as a hotel, offices, a nursery and drive-thru units.

Mr Hampshire stressed that discussions with town centre traders would take place, as it was important to strike a balance between the potential development and the High Street.

However, he felt the introduction of what was already in place off Spott Road had been beneficial to the town.

The councillor said: “It is quite exciting.

“There is the potential for a number of businesses coming to Dunbar and a number of jobs, something that we desperately need.

“The town is becoming very attractive and there are lots of visitors.

“The better experience we can give them – the High Street is doing really, really well – and an expansion of what we have got can make the town more attractive.”