Almost 100-mile diversion for drivers overnight on A75 due to 'essential resurfacing'

A diversion of nearly 100 miles for drivers on the A75 is part of “essential works” on the road, say the operator of the trunk road service.

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

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

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking an essential package of resurfacing works on the A75 at Auchenlarie and Mossyard AMEY

As a result, drivers are facing a 96-mile detour through Girvan and Ayr, which could cause delays of up to two-and-a-half hours.

The resurfacing works will pause for the October half-term holidays, resuming from Monday, October 28 at 8pm until Saturday, November 2 at 6am.

Traffic management will then be removed by 6am on Sunday, November 3.

John Carruthers, whose haulage company uses the road regularly told ITV Border: “If they’d put a convoy system into place so that the road was still open for somebody, built it up into a duel carriageway when it was supposed to, then that would’ve made a big difference.

“They wouldn’t have needed to shut the road at all, but it’s something that never happened.”

What diversions are in place while the road is closed?

Amey confirmed a number of diversions are in place while the road is closed overnight.

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, above, in the opposite direction.

Amey confirmed a number of diversions are in place while the road is closed overnight. AMEY

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.”