THE main route into Cockenzie and Port Seton from the south has reopened following an emergency closure.

East Lothian Council closed the B6371 – from the Meadowmill roundabout to the Alder Road roundabout – to vehicles last Monday as council officials declared an “emergency” due to subsidence related to adjacent Coal Authority works.

The road re-opened on Tuesday but will need further works in January which are “likely to require a lane closure”.

The Coal Authority has said the issue relates to a two-metre void underneath the road as a result of historical coal mining.

The Coal Authority said: “On December 6, we were made aware of damaged tar on the B6371 at Prestonpans.

“Due to the nature of historical coal mining in the area, our specialists examined the site and the dip was found to have been caused by a 2m void underneath the road. The void was likely caused by the settling of materials associated with historical coal mining, resulting in a gap appearing between the road and the ground below it.

“In order to fill the void and make the road safe again, we’ve worked closely with East Lothian Council to temporarily shut the B6371 as essential safety works are carried out.”

No date for the January works has been set.