PLANS to close part of a road which has been used as an unofficial detour while a main route into Cockenzie have gone ahead on schedule, East Lothian Council has said.

The local authority had originally announced plans to shut Fishers Road from Castle Walk to Golf Drive today(Wednesday) for about nine days of resurfacing work.

But the announcement sparked an outcry from the community, as residents have been unable to use the Coal Road into the town for weeks.

Last week the council said it would put back the Fishers Road closure after the work on the Coal Road looked likely to overrun into net month.

However this morning they have announced that the Coal Road has been reopened and work on Fishers Road has begun.

A spokesperson said: “These are phased works. Fishers Road resurfacing work was not due to start until the completion of the Coal Road works.”

Drivers had been urged to follow the official diversion route, not the one given by sat navs and used by locals which goes through Fishergate Road and Fishers Road, during the Coal Road closure after a number of accidents.

On one occasion, police were called to a serious accident at the entrance to Seton Farm Shop, while a second collision happened at the entrance to Fishergate Road from the A198.