Commuters between Linlithgow and Livingston have been warned of “huge” disruption on their daily drive next month.
Major resurfacing work will close the Dechmont Hills road for up to two weeks, diverting traffic through some equally winding routes.
The village of Ecclesmachan will likely see an upsurge in traffic as drivers seek alternative routes over the hill.
Road resurfacing is planned to start on 20 October from the C19 Riccarton Bridge to the junction with the Dechmont Road.
It’s a distance of 530 metres, some 600 yards of road.
Gordon Brown, Roads and Transportation Service Manager, told a meeting of the Linlithgow Local Area Committee that the start date for works was “weather-permitting” and would last two weeks.
The road is one of the main routes from Linlithgow to Livingston, it leaves Linlithgow via Manse Road and heads to Livingston via Dechmont.
Further works from Manse Road southwards out of town are planned for next year.
A community council representative told the local area committee: “In terms of advance warning, it seems to me you can give enough advance warning.”
He added: “It’s probably one of the busiest roads in the area. The traffic that comes over the hill is scary at times. The impact of roadworks there will have a huge knock-on effect on commuters.”
Chair of the committee, Councillor Sally Pattle said: “Exactly. We can’t get enough signage up to direct people safely.”
Councillor Pauline Orr has already had questions from constituents about the plans. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service today [Monday]: “It is going to put a lot of pressure onto the B8046 through Eccelsmachan and it’s going to be discussed by the Environment and Sustainability committee tomorrow.”
Council roads engineers plan a series of improvement works on the Ecclesmachan road to reduce speed as part of the Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP) Casualty Reduction works this year.
That will see a £25,000 spend to refresh markings and add additional SLOW markings on approach on the northern side of Ecclesmachan to reduce speed limit to 40mph.
Councillor Orr added: “These works are long overdue and very necessary, but their closure will force commuters onto the B9080 and the B8046 Ecclesmachan Road – both already struggling with congestion.
“The C19 has carried increasing volumes of cars and heavy vehicles, leading to serious deterioration. Now the diversion risks making life even harder for residents along the B8046, where many drivers already speed and ignore limits.
“I have previously urged the Council to consider speed bumps. This closure should be the opportunity for Police and Council to gather proper data and put stronger traffic-calming measures in place. Residents deserve safe roads – these works must not come at their expense.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
