A BUSY section of the A1 between Dunbar and Haddington will be closed for nearly 12 hours.

The westbound carriageway will be closed from 7.30pm on Wednesday until 6am the following morning to allow for improvements to road markings.

The works will complete a £265,000 programme of road marking and stud improvements on the A1 between Edinburgh and Dunbar, carried out since April by Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland.

To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, the A1 will be closed to westbound traffic between Thistly Cross roundabout and Abbotsview junction.

A diversion will be signposted from Thistly Cross roundabout to Abbotsview junction via the A199 and is expected to add about four minutes onto journeys.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to make them aware of the plans.

Emergency services will be able to pass through the works at all times.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s south east network manager, said: “These road marking upgrades on the A1 will enhance safety for motorists and form the final phase of a programme of improvements on this route that began back in April.

“We’ve scheduled the works overnight to minimise disruption, however please allow a few extra minutes for your journey if you will be affected by the diversion.”

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland by visiting www.trafficscotland.org