INNERLEITHEN High Street will be resurfaced next week as part of a £2.6 million programme to improve Borders roads.

Work will begin on Monday and will run until Friday, November 23, excluding weekends.

A convoy system will be in operation between 9am and 4.30pm – with parking restrictions also in place from 8.30am to 5pm on the High Street.

And the works will take place in two phases, with council staff on site to assist with traffic management and deliveries to local businesses.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “This latest resurfacing project will be welcomed by users of the A72 road and Innerleithen residents, with the busy road showing signs of wear and tear from previous severe weather and the high number of vehicles which use it.

“With Dirtpot Corner improvement scheme currently ongoing with traffic lights in use, I would encourage anyone using the A72 to give themselves extra time during the vital Innerleithen High Street works.

“The council is committed to investing over £22million in roads and bridges over the next three years, with £79m planned investment over the next ten years."

The High Street is one of the 32 roads in the region to undergo repair work.

Elsewhere in Tweeddale, the A701 at Romanno Bridge has already been resurfaced, while the A701 at Hallow Burn, the DP77/1 at Kingsmeadows Gardens, Peebles and the D18/1 Caberston Road, Walkerburn will also be improved this financial year.

Council leader and Tweeddale East councillor Shona Haslam added: “The council recognises the importance of our roads network to the Borders, particularly after the extensive damage caused by the Beast from the East in February/March this year.

"That is why we decided to provide additional investment in our roads and I am delighted to see the work completed thus far.

"In particular, the work at Dirtpot Corner that is long overdue and Innerleithen High Street that has been needing resurfaced for a long time."