Further road delays as £240k Ashkirk programme begins
A7 roadworks at the Tweed Bridge.
DRIVERS in the Royal Burgh face more traffic disruption as the result of a £240,000 resurfacing programme.
A project began on Tuesday to improve the A7 at Ashkirk, and is scheduled to finish on Thursday.
BEAR Scotland told motorists to expect delays of up to 10 minutes for those travelling between Selkirk and Hawick, but drivers have reported longer waits, while First Bus say its X95 service has been 15 minutes behind schedule because of the disruptions. Drivers will get a break tomorrow with no works planned, before restarting on Sunday.
The roadworks, being carried out by Aggregate Industries on behalf of BEAR, are the second to take place on the A7 near Selkirk in the last month, after a £185,000 investment between Boleside and Lindean in February.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s operating company representative for the south- east, said: “For the safety of road users and road workers alike, a convoy traffic management system will be in place. We regret that there may be some disruption and would advise motorists to allow additional time for their journeys and plan ahead.”
BEAR say the programme is running between 8.30am and 4.30pm each day, and 6.30pm and 1am each night, with the convoy traffic management system being used to protect its workforce.
A BEAR Scotland spokeswoman added: “A speed limit of 10mph will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Outside these working hours temporary traffic signals will remain in place.
“Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected at peak times, however, BEAR Scotland will make every effort to ensure that these are kept to a minimum.
“Due to these works being weather-dependant, forecasts will be monitored and if necessary works will be delayed until the weather is more favourable.”
She added that materials removed from the existing carriageway will be recycled using Scottish Environment Protection Agency-approved methods, with the works planned in consultation with Lothian and Borders Police and Scottish Borders Council.
Motorists were left frustrated last month by delays of up to an hour between Selkirk and Galashiels due to resurfacing, part of which was postponed due to poor weather. However, the project resulted in a notable improvement for drivers.
Further information on journey times are available by visiting www.trafficscotland.org.
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
