East Lothian Council has approved an extension of the road closure on Main Street in Elphinstone until November 2, 2024, to allow the completion of drainage works for Bellway Homes' development in the village.

Originally scheduled from July 1 to August 25, the closure was extended to allow Advance Construction, working on behalf of Bellway Homes, to finish directional drilling, pipe installation, and grouting for sewage and surface water drainage. Unforeseen ground conditions delayed the initial drilling phase, damaging the equipment. A replacement rig had to be imported from mainland Europe, further delaying the project.

The extended closure affects properties 10 to 14 Main Street, with a diversion route remaining in place.

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.

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"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."

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."