Overnight closures confirmed at key A1 junction
Drivers in East Lothian are being advised of four consecutive overnight closures of the westbound slip road onto the A1 at Bankton Junction, affecting movements between Tranent, Prestonpans and the Blindwells development. The shutdowns run from the evening of Friday 17 July through to the morning of Tuesday 21 July, between 7.30pm and 6am each night, to allow barrier removal and surfacing of the newly extended slip road.
The works form part of ongoing junction improvements which began in September 2025. The project is being delivered by Luddon Construction on behalf of Hargreaves Land, working with Transport Scotland and East Lothian Council. The Bankton interchange connects local settlements to the A1 trunk route and has already seen a series of night-time restrictions as construction has progressed.
When the closures are in place
The slip will be closed on four nights, with traffic management removed by 6am daily:
| Date | Overnight hours | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 17 July | 19:30–06:00 | Slip closed |
| Sat 18 July | 19:30–06:00 | Slip closed |
| Sun 19 July | 19:30–06:00 | Slip closed |
| Mon 20 July | 19:30–06:00 (finishing Tue 21 July) | Slip closed |
Outside these hours the slip road is expected to reopen, but motorists should remain alert to changing traffic conditions as works continue in the area.
Diversion route via Prestonpans and Dolphingstone
During the closures, traffic will be directed from Bankton Junction onto the A198 toward Prestonpans, then via the B1361 and A199 to rejoin the A1 at the Dolphingstone Junction. Drivers should allow additional time and follow all diversion signage.
- Closure applies to the westbound on-slip at Bankton only.
- Signed diversion: A198 → B1361 → A199 to Dolphingstone.
- Works purpose: barrier removal and surfacing on the extended slip road.
Why these works matter locally
The Bankton Junction serves as a primary access between the A1 and the communities of Tranent and Prestonpans, as well as the emerging Blindwells settlement. The improvements aim to enhance traffic flow and safety at a junction that handles commuter, school-run and freight traffic. Although the overnight timing is intended to reduce disruption, the closures will still affect late-evening and early-morning journeys including shift work, airport runs and logistics movements.
Advice for motorists and residents
Drivers should check journey times before travel, particularly if heading towards Edinburgh or connecting to other trunk roads early in the morning. Bus users may wish to confirm any late or first services that traverse the affected corridor, and local residents near the diversion may experience a short period of increased traffic during closure hours.
The project partners have indicated that the current closures are focused on the extended slip road works, a step in the broader upgrade programme at Bankton. As with previous phases, the arrangements have been scheduled overnight to minimise daytime disruption on the A1 and surrounding local routes.
