A SECTION of East Lothian's busiest road will be closed overnight to allow for "essential" work to be carried out.

Work on the southbound – or eastbound – section of the A1 is taking place at the River Esk Bridge between 8pm on Monday, August 12, and 6am the following morning.

The work is to reinstate bridge expansion joints and will benefit about 28,000 vehicles using the route each day, by improving the condition of the carriageway and reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.

However, while it is carried out, the southbound A1 between Old Craighall Junction and Wallyford Junction will be closed, with a signed diversion in place.

Southbound traffic on the A1 will exit via the off-slip road at Old Craighall Roundabout and join the westbound City of Edinburgh Bypass (A720).

From here, vehicles will be directed to join the A68 at Millerhill Junction to Salters Road Junction and then travel towards Whitecraig.

Traffic will then follow the A6094 through Cowpits Road roundabout, Whitecraig village and the Carberry Road roundabout to the A1. To re-join the A1, traffic will follow the southbound on-slip road at Wallyford (heading towards Berwick upon Tweed).

Traffic heading eastbound on A720 City Bypass intending to travel south on A1 will be directed to join the A68 at Millerhill and will follow the diversion described above.

This scheme, which will be delivered by Amey, has been planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, the emergency services, Lothian Buses and East Lothian Council.