A MAJOR road through the Borders is set to shut later this month for “essential resurfacing works”.

The A68 will be closed at Lauder for four consecutive nights, starting on the evening of Tuesday, March 30 and ending on the morning of Saturday, April 3.

The road will be closed in both directions between 7.30pm and 6.30am while the £300,000 project is completed.

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 and at weekends 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.”

According to officials, the A68 will be open in both directions outwith the closures, although temporary traffic lights will be in place during the day of April 6 so that road markings can be installed.

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.