A SCHEME to widen a footpath and slow down traffic in East Linton gets under way today (Monday).

The project on the village's Preston Road will see four weeks of roadworks take place throughout much of October.

Dunpender Community Council had made a request to East Lothian Council for a wider footpath near to the village's Prestonkirk Parish Church.

Further consultation with the community council and Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership (DELAP) determined that the best option was to narrow the carriageway.

Now, a build-out – similar to that in East Saltoun – will be created so that traffic heading one way has priority.

Allison Cosgrove, vice-chairperson of the community council, described it as “wonderful” to see the work take place.

She said: “They are making the pavement wider so everybody can get access.

“People in wheelchairs or buggies cannot go on the pavement – it is far too narrow.

“Because there is such a sharp corner, they have to walk into the road.

“This is something we have been trying to get done for 20 years.”

The works will take four weeks to complete and will be carried out in three phases.

From Monday to Sunday, temporary traffic lights will be in place on the road.

Then, from next Monday (October 7) to October 18, the road will be closed to all vehicles, excluding emergency services.

Finally, from October 19 to 25, temporary traffic lights will again be in place.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “The road will completely close to traffic from October 7 to October 18, including the 120 bus, which will follow a diverted route during this period.

“Pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained at all times, while refuse and recycling will be collected as normal.

“Drivers should be aware of the closures and diversion routes.”