A STRETCH of the A78 is to close every night for a period of six days whilst roadworks are carried out, creating a 3.5 mile detour for those wishing to travel along the route.

The essential maintenance to improve drainage on the A78 Sharphill Roundabout to Pennyburn Roundabout just north of Stevenston will take place overnight, from 8pm to 6am, each night, from Monday, November 30 to Saturday, December 5.

A spokesperson for Amey, who will be conducting the work for Scotland’s South West Trunk Roads Network said: "[the] scheme, with a value of £55,000, will benefit around 5,000 road users travelling this route each day, by allowing the filter drain to work to its full capacity and prevent flooding of the carriageway, reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in future."

The work requires a full closure of the southbound A78 between Sharphill Roundabout and Pennyburn Roundabout, with a signed diversion route in operation.

Southbound traffic will be diverted via Monfode Roundabout to join the A738 to Eglinton Road, Parkhouse Road and High Road to Glencairn Street. From there, vehicles will continue on the A738 to the A78 Pennyburn Roundabout to re-join the southbound A78.

This will add a total of 3.5 miles to the normal journey time, and drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journey.

The Amey spokesperson added that: "All schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable."