PART of the A698 is set to close for seven days later this month, to allow for resurfacing work.

The £120,000 scheme will see the route closed at Knowesouth between Jedburgh and Hawick from Monday, February 19 to Friday, February 23 and again on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 – from 9am to 4.30pm each day.

Preparatory works will take place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 at 9am to 4.30pm, with traffic lights in operation.

But the road will be fully open on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 and on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 to minimise the disruption.

For safety reasons, a temporary 30mph speed limit will be imposed.

A diversion will be in place, with eastbound traffic being taken via the A698, A7, A699 and A68, with westbound traffic travelling the opposite way.

And a demand responsive shuttle bus will also operate between Knowesouth and Jedburgh. 

The service will be operated by Peter Hogg of Jedburgh on the current 20 service timetable and can be booked in advance by calling 01835 863 755.

School buses will be allowed through the closure.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: "This is an important resurfacing scheme which will provide an improved road for users of this busy route.

"We have tried to minimise the impact on local people and businesses by making this scheme a daytime closure which will not operate at weekends, while local businesses can still be accessed during the closure.

"We thank local people and road users in advance for their patience during these works."