DRIVERS using the A72 are set to face disruption later this month.

Dirtpot Corner, between Peebles and Innerleithen, will be closed for two days between 9am and 5pm, while resurfacing takes place.

The work, which will take place on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25, is part of a £2.2million improvement scheme to widen the road and install safety fencing.

During the closure, drivers are advised to follow the official diversion route – the A7, B6392, A6094, A703 and back to the A72 – if heading westbound, and the reverse journey if travelling east.

However, if local access is required, a convoy system will be in place from the B709/B7062 Traquair junction to Cardrona/A72 junction.

But the convoy could take as long as 30 minutes.

The convoy system is not suitable for HGVs, which are being advised to travel via the official diversion route.

Bus services will run as normal but via convoy system so passengers are being warned to expect delays.

This includes school buses taking pupils home from Peebles High School.

Electronic signage will be put in place to advise motorists of the upcoming closure, while letters will be sent to local residents and businesses.

Staff will also be on site to assist throughout the closure period.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, said: “The council has recognised the importance of the A72 as a vital east-west link which is why the Dirtpot Corner improvement scheme was designed to minimise road closures by carrying out most of the construction work from the river bank.

"However, in order to resurface the Corner safely, we now have to close this section of the road for two days.

"We would encourage commuters and local people to avoid the area on June 24 and 25 if possible, with a convoy system in place for local use if required."

In a joint statement, Tweeddale East Councillors Stuart Bell, Shona Haslam and Robin Tatler, added: "Dirtpot Corner improvement scheme has made fantastic progress, with a new six metre high wall protecting the A72 from the River Tweed now in place, allowing the road to be widened by three metres.

"We must thank the local community for their patience during the scheme, and during the two-day closure would ask they give themselves extra time for their journeys."