MOTORISTS are being warned of closures and disruption on the A7 from next week.

A series of night-time and weekend closures are planned south of Ashkirk from Thursday, October 17 through to Wednesday, October 30.

Signed diversions will be in place from both Selkirk and Hawick.

The carriageway will be completely closed between 8pm and 6am on both Thursday (October 17) into Friday, and Monday (October 21) into Tuesday.

The road will also be closed from 8pm on Friday (October 18) right through to 6am on Monday (October 21).

A second phase of works will lead to similar night-time and weekend closures the following week - from Thursday (October 24) to Tuesday (October 29).

A spokesman for trunk road operators Amey told us: "The works will benefit over 5,700 vehicles using this section of the A7 each day by improving the condition of the carriageway and reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.

"This scheme will be constructed using an in-situ recycling process that re-uses the existing road material as aggregate.

"There will be a combination of overnight and weekend closures of the A7 carriageway between Hawick and Selkirk to facilitate this scheme.

"A signed diversion route will be in operation with local and emergency access maintained throughout the duration of the works.

"There may also be a requirement for temporary traffic signal controlled lane closures at this location during weekdays, so please allow extra time for your journey."

During the closures northbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A7 via North Bridge Roundabout in Hawick where traffic will take a right turn onto the A698, Mart Street.

At the following roundabout, traffic will turn left onto Weensland Road. Traffic will proceed on this route for 10 miles to reach the A68 Junction at Cleekim.

From here, traffic will turn left to join the A68 in a northerly direction and at St Boswells crossroads, will turn left onto the A699.

Traffic will continue on the A699 to rejoin the A7 at Ladylands in Selkirk, where the diversion will end.

Southbound traffic will follow the same diversion route but in reverse.

The spokesman added: "This scheme has been planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, the emergency services, Borders Buses, Telfords and Scottish Borders Council."