THE A7 is set to close while essential repairs are made on a storm-damaged bridge.

The work, valued at around £150,000, will fix the cutwater and parapets on Skippers Bridge in Langholm.

Maintenance work will start on Saturday, January 14 and run until Sunday, February 26.

It will be carried out in three phases as follows:

Phase 1: (full closure of the A7): Day works from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, January 14, and then night works from 9pm until 6am on Sunday, January 15.

Phase 2: (occasional restrictions only on B6318): Day works from 8am until 6pm, starting on Monday, January 16 until Thursday, February 16 (inclusive).

Phase 3: (full closure of the A7): Day works from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, February 25, and then night works from 9pm until 6am on Sunday, February 26.

Phase 1 works require a full closure of the A7 for the extent of the works and a restriction on the B6318 to allow tree-cutting to take place. 
A signed diversion route will be in operation while these works are taking place. 

Traffic heading south from Hawick will be diverted via the A698 to the A6088, and will then join the B6357 through Newcastleton to return to the A7 at Canonbie. 
Traffic heading north from Canonbie will be diverted via the B7201 to the B6357, and will then join the A6088 to the A698 and return to the A7 at Hawick.

For Phase 2 works a diversion route is not required, but a restriction of the B6318 will be in place, with local access being maintained.

For Phase 3 works, the diversion route that was utilised for Phase 1 will once again be in operation, with traffic heading south returning to the A7 at Canonbie and traffic heading north returning to the A7 at Hawick.

Local bus companies are being consulted and Amey, the company undertaking the work, says they are looking to "maintain regular services, wherever possible."