A STRETCH of the Three Towns bypass will be closed overnight for a week starting during the school holidays.

And there will be a contraflow system in place until Thursday, October 18, to ensure that resurfacing works are carried out with minimal impact to locals.

As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ is resurfacing approximately 300m of the A78 at the Chapelhill and Sharphill Roundabouts.

In order to complete the works as quickly and safely as possible, a contraflow traffic management system and a series of overnight trunk road closures between 8pm on Friday 12th and 6am on Thursday 18th of October.

Dayle Gillespie, Scotland TranServ’s lead designer on the project said: “This £300k programme of work will improve the quality of the road surface on both the Sharphill and Chapelhill Roundabouts. In order to keep disruption to a minimum for local commuters and businesses, works will be completed under continuous contraflow, with necessary closures only being carried out at night.

“Scotland TranServ has consulted local authorities, emergency services and key stakeholders in the planning of this scheme. At the request of stakeholders, the programme has been specifically scheduled within the October school holiday when traffic flows are lowest. Where possible the scheme has been carefully planned to minimise the impact on the community.”

The A78 will be closed overnights only during the following times:

* 8pm Saturday 13th to 6am Sunday 14th October

* 8pm Sunday 14th to 6am Monday 15th October

* 8pm Monday 15th to 6am Tuesday 16th October

* 8pm Tuesday 16th to 6am Wednesday 17th October

A contraflow traffic management system will operate on A78 continuously from 8pm Friday 12th to 6am Thursday 18th of October.

Local diversions will be in place throughout this short programme of works. Diversion information is available on the Scotland TranServ website.

Motorists are advised to add extra time to their journeys. Drivers can visit trafficscotland.org or follow @trafficscotland on Twitter for live information through the duration of the project.

This A78 improvement project is one of a number of such schemes being scheduled by Scotland TranServ to deliver long-term benefits to commuters, local communities and businesses across South West Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Andy Fraser, Scotland TranServ’s Operating Company Representative concluded: “The A78 is an important economic artery for South West Scotland. That is why we have scheduled this significant programme of work to be delivered with maximum efficiency and minimal disruption."