A ROAD closure which was originally due to finish in August will now run into November.

East Lothian Council has "been left with little choice" but to agree to extend the closure in Elphinstone to allow drainage works to be completed on behalf of Bellway Homes for its housing development on the village’s western edge.

Advance Construction, working on behalf of the housing firm, was first granted a road closure on the village’s Main Street from July 1 to August 25.

Extensions were granted to allow the contractor to complete the directional drilling, pipe installation and grouting works for sewage and surface water drainage systems.

However, the company has advised that “unforeseen ground conditions” delayed the initial phase of drilling works, resulting in the drilling rig being damaged.

READ MORE: Elphinstone road closure extended due to sewage system delay

A replacement rig had to be shipped over from a specialist manufacturer in mainland Europe to allow the works to be completed, which has caused significant slippage to the original programme.

The extended road closure – the third time it has been extended – outside 10-14 Main Street will now run from Saturday until November 2 and a diversion remains in place.

A spokesperson for Bellway Homes apologised for the delays in completing the drainage works at Elfenne Gardens.

They said: “The roadworks are essential for connecting part of the sites waste network but unfortunately these have been delayed due to external issues out of Bellway’s control.

“The works are complex due to ground conditions, which require specialist parts from Germany, which regretfully have been delayed.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused because of the works but expect them to be completed by November 2.”

READ MORE: Road closure in Elphinstone partially extended by four weeks

East Lothian Council has a duty to facilitate works relating to the provision and maintenance of utility services beneath the public road.

Drainage connection works require permission from Scottish Water, which is responsible for approving any plans.

Tom Reid, East Lothian Council’s head of infrastructure, acknowledged how “frustrating” it had been for Elphinstone residents but stressed that the council had “been left with little choice in this situation”.

He said: “Without a proper connection from the full development into the mains sewer, Bellway Homes has had to put in place temporary measures to move sewage across the site for disposal, albeit this is all contained within their boundary.

“While our environmental health team are aware of this current short-term practice, it cannot continue.

“Our choices were to refuse the closure and have the road reopened now, knowing that this sewage disposal arrangement would continue and works would need to recommence at a later date, or to grant the extension and press for a speedy resolution.

“We have met with Advance Construction and Bellway Homes representatives to emphasise that it is vital that this situation is resolved quickly and drainage works are completed within the new timescales so that we can return the road to normal arrangements and prevent further disruption to village residents, who have already endured enough.”