DRIVERS are set to be diverted nearly 100 miles through South Ayrshire as part of essential works on the A75.

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, said it is undertaking an “essential package of resurfacing works” at Auchenlarie and Mossyard in Dumfries and Galloway.

Work at Mossyard was carried out from September 29 to October 4, and a separate section at Auchenlarie is being worked on until 6am on Saturday, October 12.

Drivers are facing a 96-mile diversion through Girvan and Ayr, which could add several hours onto their journeys.

The resurfacing works have paused for the October school holidays, and are set to resume on Monday, October 28 at 8pm until Saturday, November 2 at 6am.

Traffic management will be removed by 6am on Sunday, November 3. Diversions are in place while the road is closed each night.

Westbound traffic will leave the A75 at Castle Douglas, take the A713 north to Ayr and the first exit at Bankfield Roundabout onto the A77 southbound. Traffic will continue to Girvan onto the A714 and re-join the A75 at Newton Stewart. 

Eastbound traffic will follow the same diversion in the opposite direction. 

Traffic exiting the ferry ports at Cairnryan and Stranraer during the works will be advised to travel north towards Girvan, and to follow the approved diversion route via the A714 to join the A75 at Newton Stewart. 

Local access will be maintained between Newton Stewart and the works area, and the works area and Castle Douglas.

Traffic wishing to travel on the eastbound A75 beyond Newton Stewart will be advised – when exiting the ferry ports at Cairnryan and Stranraer during the works – to travel north towards Girvan.

Onward eastbound travel on the A75, at the works, will only be possible via the diversion route.

A spokesperson for Amey, said: “The carriageway surface on the A75 at these locations is at the end of its operational life and needs to be removed to ensure the continued safety and reliability of this route.

“It is important that this work is completed before the onset of winter, and before the road deteriorates to the point that unplanned emergency repairs are required.

“Doing this work now will improve the condition of these roads and reduce the need for more extensive and disruptive works in future.”