A MAJOR Borders road is set to close for resurfacing work later this month.

The A6091 west of Melrose Roundabout will be shut on March 23 between 7.30pm and 6am.

The resurfacing work will take place on 250m of carriageway, with the £65,000-project aiming to improve “skid resistance and ride quality for road users”.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s south east network manager, said: “These road improvement works will help to improve road safety on this section of the A6091 and will greatly improve the experience for motorists.

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“It is essential for safety that we close the road during these works, 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.”

A 14-mile diversion will be in place during the closure, with eastbound traffic diverted via the A7 to Selkirk, the A699 towards St Boswells and the A68, adding around 22 minutes to affected journeys.

Meanwhile, westbound traffic will be diverted along the same route in reverse.

According to officials, emergency services will be able to pass through at all times and access to Borders General Hospital will be maintained.