UPGRADES to a gas network in Prestonpans will see roads closed, parking restrictions brought in and temporary traffic lights in the town for up to 13 weeks.

SGN announced that it would begin work to upgrade its gas network in the Prestonpans area on Monday.

The work involves replacing 2,200m of old metal gas mains and service pipes with new plastic pipe, ensuring a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local community.

SGN has planned its work in close consultation with local authorities to reduce disruption as much as possible.

The project will be carried out by SGN contractor George Ritchie & Son.

During the works, parking restrictions will be in operation allowing safe access to the pipe – some road closures will also be required.

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation at certain times, which may cause delays during peak periods.

Emergency vehicle access will be maintained throughout the work.

The gas work will be suspended during the Christmas holidays, with operatives returning early in the new year.

Road closures include Prestongrange Terrace’s junction with Prestongrange Road, and Polwarth Terrace’s junction with Gardiner Terrace.

To minimise disruption, SGN work will be carried out on a phased basis and not all streets will be affected at the same time.

Access to driveways and garages will be maintained unless previously agreed with the occupier.

An SGN spokesperson said: “We’ll be working as quickly as possible to complete our work and will be making every effort to minimise inconvenience to the local community.”

Suspension of parking is as follows:

  • Prestongrange Road between High Street and North Grange Avenue;
  • North Bank Road between Prestongrange Terrace and Drummore Drive;
  • North Grange Avenue between North Bank Road and Redburn Road;
  • South Grange Avenue between Acheson Drive and Grange Crescent West;
  • Alexander Drive full street;
  • Grange Crescent West between South Grange Avenue and Alexander Drive;
  • Gardiner Terrace between Station Road and Shaw Road;
  • 24 Bankton Terrace–Schaw Road.

Prestonpans Community Council is calling for greater clarity on road works in and around the town, ideally in the form of an interactive map showing all the restrictions over time.

A spokesperson for the community council said: “Individual roadworks are obviously necessary for the maintenance of our public utilities.

“However, there is a balance to be struck between maintenance and what can quickly become a public nuisance.

“If roadworks are all planned to minimise distribution, there is currently no way of telling. For example, Blindwells seems to open and close our key access road to the A1 on a whim.

“With all the building works going on, there needs to be much tighter management, notification and planning.

“Developers should also be held to schedule and asked to contribute to the local community for unnecessary job overruns and traffic delays.

“One key concern, for example, is the timing of sequencing on temporary lights.

“Sequence settings can have a huge impact on road users.

“These lights should be independently assessed if left in place longer than a day.

“This is the information technology age; let’s start using it to manage and monitor our service providers.”

SGN said it would be writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of the project.

Residents with enquiries about the project can call SGN on 0800 912 1700.