TEN months of work to close Markle Level Crossing and create a new bridge and diversionary road gets under way on Monday.

The crossing was previously described as one of Scotland’s “highest-risk public road level crossings”.

At least two people have been killed on the crossing in the last 15 years.

Discussions between East Lothian Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail about the possibility of closing the crossing permanently and creating a bridge have been ongoing for more than a decade.

The plans were finally rubberstamped in May last year and it was expected that the £12.5 million scheme, fully funded by Transport Scotland, would open alongside East Linton Railway Station, which welcomed its first train back to the village in December last year.

The bridge and diversionary road are being funded by Transport Scotland.

The new bridge will remove the risk that the crossing presents to everyone and the national rail network.

READ MORE: Green light for new bridge to replace level crossing at Markle

At the same time, the new road bridge and removal of the crossing will also benefit pedestrians and road traffic as there will not be delays due to the level crossing barriers being down when trains are approaching.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council leader and local ward member, welcomed the latest step.

He said: “Scottish Government funding has enabled an integrated major infrastructure project with the opening of the new station at East Linton and these new works at Markle Steading, which will greatly improve both access and road safety.

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank the many individuals and organisations who have lobbied over the years for a station to re-open in East Linton and the realisation of this major infrastructure project thanks to successful partnership working of Transport Scotland, Network Rail and East Lothian Council.”

Previously, the plans to close the crossing and replace it with a bridge did not meet universal favour.

Members of the council’s planning committee heard that there were more than a dozen objections to the project.

Among the complaints was that closing the level crossing was “unnecessary” while “replacing arable farmland with concrete is environmentally ridiculous”.