MOTORISTS in the Borders have been warned to plan their journeys ahead of closures to the A68 next week.

BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland’s operating company, will carry out £395,000 of “essential resurfacing work” at Blackburn Farm, approximately 3km north of Lauder.

The work will be done overnight between January 11-15, with 1.2km of the road set to be resurfaced.

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The road will be closed in both directions from 7.30pm until 6.30am each night from Monday to Friday next week.

Outwith these closures, the road will be open as usual, although a 30mph speed limit will be in place due to the temporary surface.

At times, temporary traffic lights will also be installed outside working hours.

A diversion route will be signposted between Carfraemill roundabout and Earlston via the A697, A6089, and A6105, adding an estimated 11 minutes and 7.9 miles to journeys.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s south east network manager, said: “These surfacing improvements will help to address the defects on this section of the A68 and will greatly improve the experience for motorists.

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“It is essential that we close the road during these works to ensure the safety of road workers and motorists, however we’ve arranged for the project to take place overnight to minimise the impact.

“We thank motorists and the local community in advance for their patience and understanding. We’ll do all we can to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.”

Emergency services will be able to pass through the closed site and “local access for residents within the closure points will be maintained when it is safe to pass through the work area.”

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