Drivers could face 10 days of disruption on Morningside Road amid urgent underground cable repairs
The temporary lights have been introduced to allow for essential repair of an underground cable
Drivers could face more than a week of disruption through a busy city route after temporary traffic measures were introduced to allow for essential repairs.
Temporary lights have been erected on Morningside Road near Jordan Lane, restricting traffic on the busy road to just one lane at a time.
The measures were introduced on Wednesday afternoon (April 22) by Scottish Power, who are undertaking repairs of a defective underground cable affecting a small number of nearby residents.
The works are causing headaches for drivers in the area with heavy lines of traffic already seen during rush hour periods.
Lothian Buses has also confirmed that services that normally run in the area are being delayed due to the temporary lights.
A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: "Our engineers are undertaking emergency repairs to fix an underground cable fault that affected power supplies to a small number of customers around Morningside Road earlier this week.
“We expect the repair work to be completed over the next couple of days and we can then progress the road reinstatement. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused while we undertake these essential works."
Local councillor Marie-Clair Munro fears that the works could take up to 10 days as per the temporary order.
She said: “As a local councillor, I’m very aware of the frustration these works on Morningside Road are causing for residents, businesses and commuters, with significant delays already being reported.
“While I recognise that emergency repairs, particularly those impacting vulnerable customers, must be prioritised, a timescale of up to 10 days is understandably concerning for our community.
“I have contacted SP Energy Networks to seek firm reassurance that the works will be completed within this timeframe, and to press them on whether there is any scope to expedite the work and reduce disruption.
“It’s essential that every effort is made to minimise delays, keep traffic moving where possible, and ensure clear communication with the public throughout the duration of the works.”
In better news for drivers, temporary lights further along Comiston Road have been removed.
The temporary lights, which were introduced to allow for urgent manhole repairs, were introduced on Tuesday, April 21 and lifted on Wednesday evening (April 22).