Roadworks surrounding the Wallyford Toll roundabout are causing headaches for motorists who are getting stuck in long queues at four-way traffic lights.

Councillor Stuart Currie, a member for Musselburgh East, said some drivers who complained to him felt there should have been more information made available to the public given the "level of disruption".

The traffic lights have been installed at all approaches to the roundabout (see map below) – from Wallyford, Prestonpans, Musselburgh and Tranent – to allow roadworks to be carried out in connection with 1,500 new houses being built at St Clements Wells.

Mr Currie said the signals were causing "significant backlogs" of traffic which could result in rail commuters missing their trains at Wallyford.

He added that bus timetables were also being affected by the hold-ups as buses could be queuing at the lights for 15 to 20 minutes.

"A lot of people were surprised that the traffic lights just appeared," he said.

"It all happened quite quickly. People are keen to know long long the traffic lights will last. If it is months and months, they will be disappointed by that. It is a busy and well used roundabout with the houses at Prestonpans as well," he said.

Irene Tait, chairman of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, said the traffic lights were causing delays at peak times for motorists such as those coming from the top road at Prestonpans.

"I think people are trying to avoid it if possible. They go down and try and get out at Levenhall and vice versa," she added.

A spokesman for East Lothian Council commented: "The traffic lights are in place to enable the tying in of the roads from the new housing to the new roundabout at Strawberry Corner. The works are scheduled to last until November 2016. The works are the subject of an Order and will have been listed on Scottish Road Works Online site."