DRIVERS face major disruption on the A68 from today (Monday 16) with prolonged night-time closures south of Earlston.

The entire carriageway will be shut each evening between 8pm and 6am until Friday, March 27.

And day-time traffic lights will also be introduced for the duration of the improvement works.

The maintenance work will take place between Drygrange and Craigsford Mains.

A spokesman for trunk road contractor Amey said: "Due to the nature of these works, daytime signal controlled lane closures will also be required to treat deeper sections of the route.

"The A68 will reopen fully to traffic by 6am on the morning of Friday, March 27."

Diversions will be in place throughout the night-time closures with northbound traffic sign-posted at St. Boswells onto the A699 to travel in an easterly direction towards Kelso. From here, traffic will join the B6352 and will then turn left onto the A698. At the roundabout, traffic will take the second exit to join the A6089 and will proceed on this route to Gordon. Traffic will be instructed to turn left onto the A6105 to continue in a westerly direction towards Earlston where it will be able to rejoin the A68.

Southbound traffic will follow the same diversion route but in the opposite direction.

It is expected there will be disruption to the Borders Buses services 51, 52, 60, 61, and 67, which will either be marshalled through the roadworks by Amey or will follow the signed diversion route.

This scheme has been planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, the emergency services, Borders Buses, and Scottish Borders Council.