ONE of Galashiels’ busiest roads will close next month while essential maintenance work is carried out.

Abbotsford road, which forms part of the A7, will be resurfaced in two phases overnight between Sunday, August 13, and Saturday, August 26.

The first phase will see the road closed from Church Street to Douglas Place junctions, from August 13 to 18, from 6pm to 2am each night.

During this phase, parking will be prohibited on Croft Street, Douglas Place, Hill Street and Tweed Road from 5.30pm to 2am to allow traffic to use these roads as a diversion route.

Northbound traffic will be diverted via Tweed Road, Winston Road, Melrose Road, Currie Road, George Craig Bridge and Braw Lads Brae; while southbound traffic will travel via Braw Lads Brae, Huddersfield Street, Hill Street, Croft Street and Douglas Place.

The second phase will see Abbotsford Road shut from Douglas Place to Hayward Drive junctions, from August 19 to 26, 6pm to 2am each night, with an alternative route via A7, A708, A707 and A72.

It will also see a small section of Tweed Road closed from Eastlands Road to Abbotsford Road, with an alternative route in operation via Tweed Road, Netherdale Brae, Huddersfield Road and Braw Lads Brae.

Parking will also be prohibited on Tweed Road from 5.30pm to 2am during phase two.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “Abbotsford Road is one of the main routes in and out of Galashiels and, as a result of this heavy-traffic use, the road is now showing signs of deterioration.

“Investigations have confirmed the poor state of the road and the need to resurface it.

“The council has endeavoured to reduce the impact of the works by scheduling the closure in evenings rather than during the day and will provide appropriate signage to diversion routes.

“We would advise drivers to give more time for their journeys as there is likely to be delays, with staff on-site to assist with traffic management throughout the closure period.”

Local bus services will also be affected during the closures. The 61, 67, 69, X62 and X95 services will follow a local diversion to and from A7 Kingsknowes roundabout during the closure.

For phase one, all buses leaving the town will be diverted via Huddersfield Street, Hill Street, Croft Street and Douglas Place. Buses returning to the town will follow the same route in reverse. A temporary bus stop will be located on Croft Street.

During phase two, all buses leaving the town will be diverted via A7, Station Brae, B6374 (Lowood Bridge), A6091 Melrose Bypass to A7 at Kingsknowes Roundabout. Buses returning to the town will follow the same route in reverse.

Residents who reside in Abbotsford Road are advised to park elsewhere during the closure periods, but pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.