East Lothian Council has agreed to extend a road closure in Elphinstone until 2 November 2024 to allow drainage works to be completed on behalf of Bellway Homes for their development in the village.
Advance Construction, working on behalf of Bellway Homes, was first granted a road closure at Main Street from 1 July to 25 August.
Extensions were granted to allow the contractor to complete the directional drilling, pipe installation and grouting works for sewage and surface water drainage systems. The company has advised that unforeseen ground conditions delayed the initial phase of drilling works resulting in their drilling rig being damaged. A replacement rig had to be shipped over from a specialist manufacturer based in mainland Europe to allow the works to be completed which has caused significant slippage to the original programme.
The extended road closure outside properties 10 to 14 Main Street will now run from 12 October to 2 November 2024. A diversion route remains in place.
Frustrating for residents
East Lothian Council’s Head of Infrastructure Tom Reid said: “We appreciate how frustrating this is for Elphinstone residents however we have been left with little choice in this situation.
“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.”
Complex works
A spokesperson for Bellway Homes said: “Bellway apologises for the delays in completing the drainage works for its Elfenne Gardens development in Elphinstone. The roadworks are essential for connecting part of the site's 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 2nd November.”
East Lothian Council has a duty to facilitate works relating to the provision and maintenance of utility services beneath the public road surface. Drainage connection works require permission from Scottish Water who are responsible for approving any plans.
The traffic order is available online at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk