Concerns have been raised that Aberlady will become a "race track" due to increased traffic regulations during the Scottish Open.

East Lothian Council has issued traffic restrictions ahead of the event beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) and running until Sunday.

Parking will be suspended along both sides of the road on parts of High Street in Aberlady and parts of the A198 towards Gullane.

If a driver parks on the temporary restricted areas then they could face a £100 notice, reduced to £50 if paid with 14 days.

Members of Gullane Area Community Council have expressed concerns that these restrictions will result in increased speeding along the road, with no cars parked on either side of the road forcing road users to slow down.

Malcolm Duck, community council chair, said: “There is a concern that the road is going to become a racetrack. Cars will speed through with no vehicles forcing them to slow down.

“It is dangerous and reckless and could cause serious injury to people.

“We have raised this with the council in the past. But there is little consultation with us or the local community.

“This was an issue last year during the women’s event, speeding was a real problem and we fear it will be the same again.

“We are also concerned about the parking restrictions too. People will be unable to park outside their homes during this time and businesses are likely to suffer too as a result."

Mr Duck owns Ducks Inn on High Street, where restrictions will be in place outside.

Frank Neate, community councillor, lives in the area and said he was concerned by the restrictions on parking.

He said: “I will be directly affected by it. There are elderly people who live there and it is the school holidays so there are kids too.

“Cars speed down the road, a 20 mile per hour zone, at 50 miles per hour, it is very dangerous.

“As for the parking, I won’t be able to park outside my home. Where are we supposed to park? The restrictions are there from 7am until 11pm at night. So if I am to park there I will need to move it by 7am and can't return my car till 11pm. I think it's outrageous.”

Mr Neate said while it was too late to change the restrictions now, he hoped changes would be made in the future.

He said: “We want to see something done to fix this issue in the future. The current system is not good for locals and we need to see changes."

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: "East Lothian’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) consists of the council working in partnership with emergency services and professional bodies on health and safety issues to provide advice and support for event organisers who are running public events taking place in the county.

"The aim of the SAG is to help event organisers plan and run their event safely whilst minimising as far as possible inconvenience on local communities. With a major event such as the Scottish Open there is recognition that some disruption and inconvenience will occur.

"The multi-agency planning for the Genesis Scottish Open golf tournament 2023 has been completed over the course of the past year and incorporates community feedback provided from previous events.

"The professional assessment by Police Scotland and council officers has raised no concerns about traffic speed through Aberlady though this of course will be closely monitored throughout the duration of the event and reviewed at the post-event debrief."